About me

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Notre Dame (USA) conducting research in environmental actinide geochemistry, employing primarily low-temperature aqueous chemistry and geochemistry, and synchrotron x-ray spectroscopy techniques.

I mainly use this page to introduce myself and direct you to my professional pages and facilitating getting in contact with me. Click the relevant icon(s) on the left in Desktop view or click the follow icon on the right in Mobile view.

For posters and other research-related items, visit my ResearchGate by clicking the RG link.

Academic and Research Experience

Currently, I study plutonium sorption and reduction behavior in the environment at the mineral-water interface of iron oxides as a function of mineral complexity (Al-substitution in this case). I am working towards growing my expertise with X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques (EXAFS and HERFD-XANES).

I received a Bachelor in Science degree in Geology from Cal Poly Pomona in 2019. While working on my B.Sc., I conducted environmental geochemistry research at Chapman University from 2017 to 2019 studying Arsenic speciation using synchrotron X-ray techniques (EXAFS).

I also participated in two REUs: one at Chapman University in 2016 studying nanoparticle aggregation and its impact on sorption behavior, and later at Stanford Univeristy in 2018 studying sedimentary geology using elemental geochemistry and geochronology.

Leadership Experience

Co-author, co-organizer, and one of 3 graduate mentors for UROC Readiness program; a community-oriented college preparation and research experience program in partnership with ND TRiO, ND Energy, Self-Healing Communities SB, and South Bend Community School Corporation. My co-organizers/co-mentors (fellow grad students Frances Zengotita and Virginia Rodriguez) and I mentored 2 absolutely brilliant and hard-working high school mentees from Washington HS in South Bend, IN. We guided our mentees through many thrilling experiments and analyses, and we are proud to have mentored them through the 2022 calendar year.

Earlier in my carrer, I have served as president of the Geology Clubs at Santiago Canyon College and Cal Poly Pomona. I have also served as a mentor to two undergraduate students applying to graduate programs through Cientifico Latino. Addtionally, I have led a few workshops on applying to 4-year universities, graduate programs, and REUs. I have grown increasingly passionate about connecting science with campus and local communities.

I am also interested in becoming more involved with the synchrotron user community and in working towards increasing access to state-of-the-art scientific facilities to underserved communities and minority-serving institutions.