Tell us about your research focus, how you became interested in it, and who will benefit from what you are doing in the long run.
My research focuses on understanding the history and dynamics of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The Milky Way halo is full of stellar streams, streams of stars that formed when smaller galaxies fell into our own and were ripped apart by gravitational tidal forces. Their shapes and paths provide clues about their own history as well as the evolution of our galaxy. By running dynamical simulations, I try to understand the physics behind how these streams form and the nature of galaxies currently falling into our galaxy. This gives us a clear picture of the Milky Way’s past. Physics has been my greatest passion since I was a child; after reading a book about Galileo Galilei, I became fascinated by astrophysics and have been pursuing it ever since.
What is your vision for your future? What do you expect to be doing after your fellowship/graduate degree.
After completing my PhD, I plan to pursue a postdoctoral position to further expand my research. My long-term goal is to become a professor at a research university, where I can lead my own research group and teach the next generation of physicists.
What do you anticipate the most about your fellowship experience? Why did you choose the program you applied to?
The CCA Pre-doctoral Fellowship has been a significant achievement in my career, demonstrating the novelty of my research and my ability to propose and execute a compelling project. During my semester in New York City, I worked closely with Dr. Adrian Price-Whelan, a leading expert in galactic dynamics. This experience allowed me to explore cutting-edge research methods and build professional connections with world-class scientists at the CCA. I chose this program specifically to collaborate with Dr. Price-Whelan and to immerse myself in a premier research environment.
Additionally, receiving the AAUW American Fellowship highlights my research achievements, the originality of my work, and my leadership in community outreach. I applied for this highly prestigious award because it aligns with my commitment to mentoring and supporting other women in the field, and I knew that my background made me a strong candidate. This fellowship provides critical funding for my final year, allowing me to focus entirely on completing my dissertation and networking as I transition into the next phase of my career.
What advice do you give to current students considering applying to competitive programs?
My biggest advice is to research each fellowship thoroughly to ensure you understand exactly what the committee is looking for, then tailor your proposal to meet those specific goals. Do not hesitate to use every resource available to you. I reached out to my professors for feedback and worked with the RPI Writing Center to refine my narrative. Also, expect to revise your application several times. Both of my successful applications went through multiple drafts before they were ready to submit.
