Journeys of Scientists

My name is Keontré  (key-on-tray) and I am a second year dual phd student in physics and quantitative biology with a concentration in molecular biophysics. Big words aside, I was initially a physics major at Colgate university in Hamilton, New York. Before that I lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana and I was raised even before that in Huntsville, Alabama. My dad played football for the Spartans in the early 90s under George Perles, and stories from my childhood are what stoked both my love for athletics (I ran track d1 and played baseball at Colgate) and my love for MSU! I also have 6 siblings (Tim 32, Kayla, 30, Emery 28, Octavius 14, Lucia  13, and September 12) To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Georgia is a second year PhD student studying experimental nuclear physics. Her research focuses on investigating the properties of nuclei beyond the neutron dripline. In her free time, Georgia enjoys  exercising, spending time outdoors, and playing the trumpet! To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or   recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can   email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Nicole is a fourth-year PhD student in applied mathematics at MSU. Her research interests lie in machine learning, particularly with applications in biology. She also has a background in mathematics  education and is passionate about teaching and mentoring students. In her free time, Nicole enjoys cooking, trivia, and swimming. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or  recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can  email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Rachel is a second year PhD student in Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering studying topological data analysis and computational education with emphasis on social good. Outside of her research, Rachel enjoys working on DEI and STEM outreach, reading, swing dancing, relaxing by the lake, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Amelia is going into her second year pursuing a PhD in experimental  nuclear physics at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at MSU. Her research is focused on the radioactive decay of rare, unstable nuclides. Outside of work, her interests include her two cats, vegan cooking, and nature hikes.   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend  someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email   WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Jessica J. Mencia (she/her/ella) is a PhD student at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Public Policy and double minors in Latinx Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Jessica currently researches abortion accessibility and sexual-risk taking for young women and non-binary youth. She identifies as Honduran-American, queer, and manatee enthusiast.   4theRecord: https://www.4trecord.com/    NY Birth Control Access Project: h    ttps://nybcap.org/ National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email  WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Sarah is a Mathematics Education PhD candidate and Mathematics Masters student who is studying the impact of computation on undergraduate students' mathematical creativity and understanding. Outside of her research, Sarah loves to craft, spend time with her husband and cats, as well as go camping. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Emily  is going into her third year as a PhD student in the Computational  Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (CMSE) Department working in computational education research. Outside of research, she enjoys  participating in STEM outreach opportunities, crocheting, and reading. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend  someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email  WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Aubree is going into her third year in the Anthropology program at Michigan State University. With a focus in bioarchaeology, she is interested in the relationship between diet and social identity in the  ancient Maya and how this relationship changes over time. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Samara is a third year PhD candidate in the department of Mathematics at  MSU with a specialization in Control Theory. Being an international  student from Lebanon, Samara has strong commitment to DEI. She has  strong passion for leadership and enjoy working with students that are  struggling academically. In her free time, Samara enjoys reading, writing, and visiting new places! To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend  someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email   WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Carolyn is a second year PhD candidate in the plant biology and ecology, evolution, and behavior programs, studying the evolution of defense  traits in the wild grape genus Vitis. Outside of her research, she loves to participate in public outreach about bat conservation and indulge her many nerdy hobbies. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu   If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email  WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Alyssa is a PhD student in the Integrative Biology Department and  Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) Program who studies the  reproduction of Mormyrid electric fishes from Africa (which are the only known vertebrates that have sperm without tails!). Outside of research  she is passionate about engagement in science outreach. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend  someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS   outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Gissell is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate studying Pharmacology at the University of Michigan.   She is interested in the field of neuropharmacology, especially addiction research. Gissell is currently investigating opioid signaling pathways that increase the pain-relieving effects of opioids  such as morphine without increasing adverse side effects. Gissell is Mexican-American from California, and her identity has inspired her to be involved in community outreach with groups that support DEI in academia and minority advancement in science.   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS  outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Danika is a fourth year math PhD student studying equivariant homotopy theory. Danika enjoys spending time with her friends, family and two  rabbits Mimi and Moomoo in her free time. Check out her website: https://www.danikavanniel.com/home To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS  outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Ursula is a second year PhD student in the comparative medicine and integrative biology program. Her research focuses on understanding oleic acid's effect on adipose tissue metabolism in early postpartum dairy cows. To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu  If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone  to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS  outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Emily is a Fisheries and Wildlife PhD candidate studying the statistics  underpinning stock assessment models. Her work aims to find the best  techniques to accurately and precisely estimate fish  population abundances using fishery data.   Check out the MSU Falcon Cam: https://youtu.be/xZxtVFoW9ts   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu   If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Marzieh Ghiasi MSc (@marziehg) is an MD/PhD epidemiology trainee at Michigan State University studying clustering techniques and genetic epidemiology in chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. Her background in research is in airborne infectious disease transmission and environmental health.   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Isabela is a PhD student in the department of Integrative Biology at MSU. She studies how small and fragmented natural populations persist and interact with their environments.   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu    If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Madison is a 2nd year PhD student studying experimental accelerator physics, with a focus on beam diagnostics. In her free time, Madison enjoys reading, baking, and being a cat mom to her two cats, Hannibal and Frannie.   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu   If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu

Maria (she/her) is a first year PhD student studying Human Nutrition and Environmental Toxicology, where she is investigating the potential endocrine  disrupting effects of maternal obesity and how it may impact offspring  reproductive biomarkers and development. She is also actively involved in her department, where she is the Secretary for the Food Science and Human Nutrition Graduate Student Association (FSHN GSA) and the FSHN Representative on the Council of Graduate Students.   To keep up to date with WaMPS updates, you can follow @msuwamps on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or visit our website https://www.wamps.org. If you would like to learn more about graduate school in physics and astronomy at MSU, check out https://pa.msu.edu   If you would like to leave comments, questions, or recommend someone to be interviewed on Journeys of Scientists, you can email WaMPS outreach coordinator Bryan at stanl142@msu.edu