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Why did you choose Aeronautics and Astronautics?
I grew up going to the Hayden Planetarium in New York, and it instilled a curiosity in me that is only satisfied by space exploration. Space is the final frontier, and I wanted to spend my career pushing the boundary of what we think we know and truly making an impact on the world.

Best event or organization you’ve participated in within AAE?
Purdue Space Program Student Launch! We compete in a 9-month competition cycle run by NASA, in which we build a high-powered rocket and unique payload to fulfill a mission objective. I've learned so much from this team, and got to meet so many incredible people.

Best event or organization you’ve participated in outside of AAE?
Purdue Night Train, our swing dancing club! Think "jazz club in the 1950s": lindy hop and big band music. They have lessons, occasional live band dances, and a social dance every week! I joined as a freshman, and still attend weekly.

Why did you want to be an AAE Ambassador?
I wanted to show the next class of AAE students that they have a place here at Purdue, and that an education here can lead you to amazing opportunities.

Favorite place on campus?
Engineering Mall! Love to cozy up at one of the tables outside MSEE.

Favorite class you’ve taken thus far and why?
AAE 251 - Introduction to Aerospace Design. It was the first class I took that I felt was truly unique to the major I chose. Getting to go through a mock design process for a mission to Venus was incredible!

What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential AAE student?
Find a project on campus that you're really passionate about and run with it. I've gained tons of technical experience through clubs, and recruiters want to see that you know how to work with a team in an engineering setting. If you can't find an existing team, start up a project yourself!

Who is someone you look up to in the Aero/Astro industry and why?
I look up to Emily Calandrelli. She's an engineer, science communicator, advocate, author, mother, and the 100th woman to fly to space! She inspires me to go after opportunities I want and never stop dreaming big.

What motivates you to succeed?
Knowing that all the struggles are in pursuit of my dream. When schoolwork gets hard, I think about how it feels to look up at the night sky, and I get inspired all over again.

What is your ultimate career goal?
A Mission Control position for either human, robotic, or photography exploration missions. Space telescopes and rovers are the coolest things in the world to me!

What do you like to do when you’re not studying/in the lab or classroom?
I love books and movies. My favorite genres are historical fiction, science fiction, and dystopia. I also love to cook, and spend most Sunday afternoons meal prepping.

Favorite Fun Fact about Purdue?
Purdue has the world's only Mach 8 quiet wind tunnel!