What motivated you to go into the space industry?
A huge turning point was when I was accepted to an internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center after high school. My internship focused on gathering data on rainfall-triggered landslides in support of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. Throughout the summer, I learned all about the importance of the space industry for Earth and climate science and its applications to protect and monitor human health and ecosystems. I love that the space industry looks outwards to distant galaxies but also aims sensors towards our home on Earth.

What are some highlights of your experiences in the space industry, career-wise or otherwise?
My first internships as a 2016 Lloyd V. Berkner Space Studies Board Intern at the National Academies introduced me to the Decadal Survey on Earth Sciences. I was amazed to sit with experts who made important recommendations on the next ten years of satellite missions. As a Brooke Owens Fellow, I worked at Bryce Tech, analyzing commercial satellites but also thriving in a community of inspirational Brookies in all parts of the industry.

I also served as a 2018 Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) Fusion Forum organizer (young professional/student aerospace conference), and then served as a Brooke Owens Fellowship Executive Team Member. My most recent highlight has been defending my Ph.D. on drivers of enhanced wildfire activity across the western United States since the 1980s, analyzing a multiple-decades satellite long record of wildfires.


What was your role in the Brooke Owen’s Fellowship organization, and how did you get into it?
During and after my Brookie internship, I designed the logo, updated the website design, created onboarding materials, and mentored new Brookies. At the time of transition in 2020, the founders Will Pomerantz, Cassie Lee, and Hon. Lori Garver asked Kayla Watson and me to join as the new Executive Team members. It was a huge honor to take on the responsibility of leading the organization, and through the position I learned how to lead and what it takes to keep a non-profit running sustainably.

Who’s your mentor/someone you look up to, and why?
Most recently I am grateful to my PhD advisor Dr. Park Williams and my committee members Dr. Richard Seager, and Dr. Dorothy Peteet. As a PhD, it is vital to find an advisor who can be your ally and whose mentoring style works for you. I'm grateful that my advisor and committee transformed me into a better scientist.

What advice would you give to the next generation?
My own path to space may seem linear when I lay it out in this interview, but every step was met with uncertainty, obstacles out of my control, and tons of failed applications. Each chance you give yourself has the possibility of leading to something amazing.