Aloha! I am a fifth-year NSF Graduate Research Fellow and P.E.O. Scholar (PhD Advisors: Dr. Jonathan P. Williams & Dr. Karin I. Öberg) studying the “Organosulfur Chemistry in the Birthplaces of Planets.” Since Feb. 2023, I have been at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian working in the Öberg Astrochemistry Lab to characterize the fundamental properties and formation pathways of complex sulfur organics through ultra-high vacuum chamber experiments. I am also part of the eDisk ALMA Large Program to understand the structure, dynamics, and chemistry of embedded disks (the earliest stages of stellar and planet formation). I focus on combining laboratory experiments, telescope observations, and theoretical modeling (both at the micro (computational chemistry) and macro (chemical evolution of protoplanetary disks) scales) to reconcile what is known as the “missing sulfur” problem.

I write for Astrobites and spearheaded the creation of our climate change committee, starting with my recent article “ The ‘Pale Blue Dot’ Blues,” where I illustrate how astrophysics and planetary science are being used to further our understanding of Earth. Check out the Earth Week x Astrobites (2022, 2023, and 2024) for more! Since 2022, I have been serving on the AAS Sustainability Committee and been a core steering group member of Astronomers for Planet Earth. I am passionate about linking my affinity for engineering, chemistry, and astrophysics to better understand how the planet we call home came to be.

Ph.D. Topic

Affiliations

• Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
• Öberg Astrochemistry Lab
• NSF Graduate Research Fellow
• P.E.O. Scholar

• ASTR 300 (TA)
• ASTR 300L (TA)
• ASTR 301 (TA)
• Created ASTR 185 (was ASTR 399/197 during its experimental phase) with Dr. Roy Gal

Grants

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2022-25)
• P.E.O. Scholar Award (2024-25)
• Soroptimist Founder Region Fellowship Award (2025)
• AAS Doxsey Prize (2025)