About Me
After studying Physics and Astronomy at Amherst College, I shifted my focus towards education and systemic reform. I am currently completing a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, traveling to almost a dozen countries to learn about cultural education in diverse contexts. Outside of education, I am interested in science, business, and have dabbled in computer science and journalism.
I have started two companies in the last five years where I combined my fascination with entrepreneurship with my commitment to human connection and justice. I currently serve as the Director of Pensos, Inc., an educational nonprofit which creates and deploys curricula for under-resourced middle and high school classrooms in New York City. We incorporate project-based, student centric pedagogy and employ novel constructivist learning techniques to better serve teachers and students alike. More information about Pensos can be found on our website here.
After completing my studies in physics at New College at Oxford University, I returned to Amherst College. I conducted research in the form of a senior thesis as part of the Follette Lab exploring how different scientific teaching practices can engender a diverse array of outcomes across students of varied demographic backgrounds.
Research & Outreach
My previous research at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Amherst’s Follette Lab focused on studying exoplanets and the building blocks for life outside our solar system. I wrote and developed multiple pieces of custom software, which I used to process cutting-edge telescope data and to generate figures which have since been published and have headlined dozens of talks and presentations around the world.
At Amherst, I revitalized the College’s Entrepreneurs Society where I coached students through the process of developing their own startup companies. I also ran our Observatory and led science outreach programs which reached hundreds of students. Additionally, I served on our Physics Department student-faculty oversight committee charged with effecting positive and progressive change in our department and our college.
science
I have always been fascinated by stars, galaxies, and the history of our universe. I have worked hard to understand how fundamental physics has influenced the creation and evolution of everything we see today.
puzzles
Over the past few years, I have competed in, won, and written multiple puzzle hunts. The experiences are incredible ways to meet fascinating and wonderful people while learning essential problem solving and critical thinking skills.
rock climbing
I have been climbing for over 15 years and am always excited for the chance to spend time outdoors. I find nature meditative and the process of exploration both relaxing and invigorating, so I climb whenever the opportunity presents itself.