Where are you from?
I was born in Southern California near Los Angeles and lived there until I was ten. I then moved to a small logging town called Sedro-Woolley in Western Washington where I stayed until I moved to Missoula, Montana, to begin my undergraduate degree. So half of my foundational years were spent in a very urban setting, and the other half in a vastly different environment. Talk about whiplash!
What do you like to do for fun?
I love hiking and weightlifting, but lately, my biggest joy has been playing pickleball. I started last year and found a wonderful community of people I might never have met otherwise. This year, I began competing and have already won gold in a few tournaments!
Describe your research (what and where do you research, and please say what your professional title is, such as graduate student researcher, assistant professor, post doc, etc.)?
I am a graduate student researcher in the Society and Conservation Department at the University of Montana, pursuing a Master of Science in Resource Conservation. My research focuses on the social and human dimensions of prescribed fire; specifically, what constrains and supports decision-makers in implementing prescribed fires in Western Montana.
What got you into STEM?
I’ve always dabbled in STEM, but I never imagined I’d become a scientist. As a kid, I joined a coding club, loved math, and was on the robotics team. While I enjoyed those activities, I often felt out of place and eventually drifted away. I actually came to the University of Montana intending to become a park ranger! I thought I had stepped away from STEM, but little did I realize my Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management degree was a Bachelor of Science. During undergrad, I fell in love with the outdoors and how people interact with the natural world, and now I get to study it.
How did you go from that initial inspiration to your current work?
Even after rediscovering my interest in STEM as an undergrad, I doubted I could ever be a scientist. I had struggled in school and thought graduate school wasn’t for me. Then, after one of my seasonal jobs ended, I began working as a research assistant for one of my professors. That experience reignited my spark: I was asking questions without clear answers, and I loved it. It was also the moment I realized I was already doing what I thought I couldn’t do. I applied to graduate school and started my master’s program with that same professor the very next semester.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in STEM circles?
Every woman’s experience is different, but for me, belonging has always been a challenge. Early on, my male peers often talked over me and the few other girls in the room, questioned our every decision, and dismissed our ideas. What pushed me away from STEM initially was hearing my classmates openly insult our female coding instructor, doubting her intelligence simply because she was a woman. I remember thinking, “Whoa, if they’re comfortable saying this about her, what must they be saying about me and my female peers?” That was the last straw that really pushed me away from STEM back then.
Additionally, as a woman of color from a disadvantaged background pursuing higher education, I’ve faced challenges such as being taken less seriously than my white female peers, lacking resources like a reliable laptop, and not having family support during difficult times. These experiences have shaped how I approach STEM and fueled my commitment to becoming a mentor and resource for other women facing similar challenges. With my background, I know I can help others navigate these challenges and, as the field continues to progress, I hope to support women in overcoming obstacles that may look very different from my own in the future.
What is your advice for young people in STEM?
Two things: Find your people, and work hard but play harder.
Find your people. Surround yourself with those who believe in you, care about you, and want you to succeed. Having people in your corner is invaluable when you’re struggling or doubting yourself.
Work hard, play harder. Put in the effort and build a strong work ethic, but don’t let work define you. Having passions and joy outside of school or research makes you more balanced and resilient. Some days your work won’t be great, and that’s okay. Life outside of work is just as important.
What do you want to do next?
Currently, I plan on pursuing a PhD after completing my master’s degree. But until then, I’ll be reading research papers and (hopefully) winning more pickleball tournaments!