About Me
UCSB funding peer advisor
This position is held within Graduate Division at UCSB. I lead workshops for the Graduate Student Resource Center related to funding and financial literacy, including topics such as fellowships and research funding opportunities; the basics of personal finance; budgeting; loans and repayment; and resources, credits, and tax deductions for graduate students. I collaborate with other peers and campus offices to offer specialized workshops such as funding for international students, navigating the Pivot database, etc. I provide one-on-one advising through appointments and email requests for information or assistance, offering confidential advice and making referrals as needed. Creating funding related articles (e.g. funding forecasts) and fellowship announcements to the UCSB GradPost and maintain funding resource pages on the GradPost to provide accurate information, uploads, and links. I maintain Fellowship Library of sample personal statements and research statements from applications that were successfully awarded funding. Also assisting with campus-wide Graduate Division events and programming, including New Graduate Student Orientation, Grad Success Series, and Grad Slam.
Quander researcher
This project focuses on developing ways that students in middle school can have an introduction to Quantum Information Science. As a part of the Quander team, I have been able to help develop five minigames that introduce the fundamental of quantum computing. The primary goal of the online games is to introduce Quantum Computing concepts in a way that is fun and be accessible to young underrepresented learners. We did not seek to teach players technical physics, mathematics, or computer science but rather introduce basic quantum computing ideas through the game mechanics and rewards system. Since no background knowledge is needed to understand or play the games, the gameplay is fun and engaging for students. All five games exist in a shared world called Quander. Quander is a small town with supernatural characters such as vampires, zombies, and animal friends. The player is tasked with helping the residents of Quander retrieve parts of a quantum computer that have been scattered throughout the town due to an explosion. Each of the five games addresses a set of concepts guided by Key Concepts for QIS Learners and ties into CCS and NGSS standards.
Coastal researcher
The Collaboration for Opportunities in and Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning (COASTAL) program is a Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program operating out of UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy (DPEA), and the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation (MOXI) in Santa Barbara, California. Broadly speaking, the COASTAL program’s goals are to recruit, train, and retain diverse and talented science teachers and prepare them to use convergent science approaches in their teaching. As a part of the team, we have researched how preservice teachers utilized resources in different learning environments and impacts on reform-minded teaching and analyzed the tools preservice teachers used to teach during the sudden shift to remote and hybrid learning brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Life Before Grad School
This is just a glimpse of my life as a UCI student and as a student teacher.
During my time at Uc irvine, I participated in the UCI physics Assemblies. UC Irvine Physics Assemblies Program offers free Physics assemblies for upper elementary grades. This program was started in the early 90's by Bill Heidbrink and John Rosendahl (UCI Faculty members). It grew under NSF support to reach a group of over 10,000 school students each year, while providing a firsthand experience of teaching and public speaking for science undergraduates each year.
Occidental Upward Bound Staff
Upward Bound was established at Occidental College in 1966 and has since served over 2000 first generation, low income students in the Los Angeles region. Intentional advising model and commitment to fostering strong scholars have allowed us to revolutionize our approach to student development and engagement, allowing us to successfully service a wide range of unique scholars. I have been a staff member for the program for 3 years.
Hermanas Unidas de UCI
Hermanas Unidas provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional leadership opportunities and resources to predominately Latina/Chicana students by participating in and organizing academic, community service, and social events/workshops. I have been the Alumni Liaison for this organization.
Ballet Folklorico de UCI
Ballet Folklorico de UC Irvine is a student run organization dedicated to promoting the Mexican culture and tradition through dance and music. BFdUCI encourage students of all backgrounds to join and learn about the Mexican culture and create long-lasting relationships with our members. I have been the secretary for this organization for two years.
Phi Sigma Rho
The vision of Phi Sigma Rho is to be the foremost sorority for women in engineering and sciences. It fulfills that vision by developing the highest standard of personal integrity and character, promoting academic excellence, supporting personal achievement, and maintaining the bond of sisterhood. I have been the Vice President of Finance for two years.