I began my high school experience with an affinity for math and English, and while editing the school yearbook, I was also very involved in choir. Although I did well in academics, I didn't truly understand the value of science until my senior year. As I undertook classes in calculus, physics, and chemistry, I began to appreciate the intricacies of the physical world and its governing principles.

When it came time to apply to college, not only was I unsure of what I would major in, but I also wasn't aware of all my options--including geoscience. Projecting on my growing interest in chemistry, and the general financial reputation of engineers, I applied to the chemical engineering program at UT but was instead accepted into the geoscience program. Even though I didn't know much about it, I had every intention of transferring to ChemE. But when I experienced my first lecture in an introductory geology course, my perspective drastically changed.

Seeing the evolution of the Earth through a microscope or standing on a mountainous outcrop was enthralling, and I soon realized how much I was missing before delving into geoscience. Deeply intrigued by this entirely new world of Earth science, I took the leap and decided to pursue geology for my undergraduate degree and have never looked back. I soon uncovered my particular interest for igneous rocks and volcanology. I'm fascinated with how we can use modeling and laboratory techniques to refine our understanding of terrestrial volcanism. These days, I conduct research on obsidian pyroclasts, interpreting preserved bubble textures and dissolved gases to discern how they formed. I look forward to investigating this and other geophysical and geochemical parameters of volcanic processes in graduate school this fall.