• Hometown: Bellbrook, OH
• Class: 2026
• Major(s): Mathematics; Physics
  
• Minor(s): Electrical Engineering
• Other Activities, Honors, and Awards:
  • Miami University Ballroom Dance Club
  • Society of Physics Students
  • Women in Physics
  • Awards/Scholarships: Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Commendation in Undergraduate Research (2023, 2024, 2025), Deans Scholar's Award Recipient, Provost's Student Academic Achievement Award (PSAAA) Recipient, 3 Conference Papers submitted, 1 First Author Paper submitted

Why Miami?

I chose Miami because it was my favorite of all the schools that accepted me: its campus is beautiful, both of my siblings had graduated from Miami, and it was a node in a major quantum computing conference. Further, upon touring the campus, everyone I met in the Physics Department was very kind, willing to explain their research, and excited to have me attend Miami.

How did you choose your major?

I initially chose my Physics major based on a pie chart in high school, and I've stuck with it. I also started at Miami with the intention of adding a Mathematics major and Electrical Engineering minor, both of which I did my first semester.

Key Moment at Miami

My first year at Miami, I joined a research lab in the Physics Department based on theoretical quantum information/quantum optics. This has been an amazing experience: I spent the rest of that year learning the fundamentals of quantum mechanics/quantum computing and got to present a poster at the Undergraduate Research Forum that year (and every year since then). My research has allowed me to present at international conferences, and I've worked some on a manuscript to submit for publication.

This past summer, I participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Miami (in Florida), which was a 10-week program that allowed me to expand my research experience into theoretical classical optics, and it culminated in the opportunity to present at another international conference and submit a first author paper.

I've also been heavily involved with Miami’s ballroom dance club and competition team, which has been a great opportunity to get some exercise and interact with people outside of my own academic bubble while sharing another passion of mine.

Another Miami Moment 

As a Miami student, I have earned a Commendation in Undergraduate Research every year so far (3 in total), the Dean's Scholars Award, and the Provost's Student Academic Achievement Award (PSAAA) for my academic achievements and involvement in research and the Miami community as a whole. I am also a CAS Ambassador, so I help promote the College of Arts and Science at various events throughout the year.

My primary contribution to student leadership is in the Ballroom Dance club, where I have been the lesson coordinator for two years, and this year, serve as the president. In these roles, I have been in charge of scheduling lessons for both the social club and competition team, and all the logistical details that implies, as well as teaching some of these lessons. I'm also responsible for many of the logistical details of running a club, such as website maintenance and communication with coaches, members, and the greater ballroom dance community.

Advice to Prospective Students

The transition to college bestows many new privileges and freedoms, but also many responsibilities. Be prepared to keep track of your own coursework and to meet a wide variety of people (especially in your gen-ed classes). Find something (but not everything) to be involved in to give you a community of friends. The atmosphere at Miami (everywhere I've been) is really encouraging--I've never found a professor, student, TA, RA, staff member, etc. that wasn't welcoming of any questions I might have or willing to help me solve a problem, even if only by pointing me in a more appropriate direction to be asking for help. Form meaningful relationships with at least some of your professors; they're the ones who will write letters of recommendation for you or provide you with opportunities you may not otherwise be aware of.

What are your career goals?  

My immediate plan after graduating from Miami is to go to graduate school (hopefully in the Midwest) for physics, specifically studying theoretical quantum information science. I'm aiming for a career researching quantum information/quantum computing, so my dream job is in academia or a national lab doing research.