STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Academics and Career
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from American University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Science in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. I’m currently a third-year Ph.D. candidate studying Ecology at RPI where my research focuses on software for sensor systems and lighting technology for horticultural lighting applications. I’ve worked as a software developer for the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy, and NASA. I’m passionate about educational equity, and I direct a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Art Technically that provides STEM and Arts education for K-12 students. As director, I manage volunteers and programming; interface with school, nonprofit, media, and government partners; write curricula, teach workshops and at events, and lead organizational mission-development with the board.
Work Experience
Director, Art Technically | December 2017 – Current
Art Technically is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes a well-rounded education for all students through STEM and Arts educational programming.
Research Assistant, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | August 2020 – Current
Conducts plant physiology research and develops software for lighting and agriculture projects.
Research Assistant, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies | October 2023 – August 2024
Co-led a research team with a high school science teacher under the purview of a NASA scientist that studied representation of extreme precipitation and Extratropical Cyclones in climate reanalysis data. The research team included high school and undergraduate interns. Facilitated collaboration between NASA’s Climate Change Research Initiative and the U.S. Department of Education to develop content promoting NASA’s earth science and educational programs. Organized an ISS downlink where elementary school students asked questions to astronauts onboard the International Space Station. Attended the 2024 NASA Space Exploration Educators Conference. Led 2024 eclipse education programming at low-income schools in rural New York and taught safety workshops to over 1,200 students. Gave a keynote at the 2024 Artificial Intelligence Expo in Washington, DC on the importance of STEM Education on U.S. national competitiveness and led educational programming at the expo for local public high school students.
Student Trainee, Department of Homeland Security | July 2019 – July 2020
Worked in a team of data scientists to build software tools to support the Intelligence and Analysis mission; developed technical lesson plans for intelligence analysts in Biometrics and Digital Hygiene
Software Developer, NASA DC Space Grant Consortium | June 2019 – May 2020
Developed a software library for the ThinSat (thin low earth orbit satellite) program to aid Virginia Space’s K-12 educational program under grant from NASA Space Grant. Served as an ambassador for space science to K-12 students and as a representative of the District of Columbia at national NASA space grant events.
Database Engineer, Department of Energy/AU | August 2019 – May 2020
(for-credit) Served as the Client Liaison and Database Engineer for a partnership project between the DOE’s Office of Building Technologies and American University’s Computer Science Department.
Assistant News Editor, Fredericksburg Today | June 2018 – August 2019
Managed and filtered incoming press releases and updated the website (Fredericksburg.today) daily with exciting and relevant content for the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Program Leader and Teaching Assistant, American University | August 2018 – May 2019
Assisted professor in class, held office hours, review sessions, lab hours, and co-curricular activities, and gave general support to students in and out of class.
Education
Ph.D. in Built Ecologies (in progress)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
May 2021 – May 2025
Troy, NY
M.S. in Lighting
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
August 2020 – May 2021
Troy, NY
B.S. in Computer Science
American University
August 2017 – May 2020
Washington, DC
High School and International Baccalaureate Diploma
Bolton High School
August 2013 – May 2017
Memphis, TN
Skills
Computer Science
– Python
– Javascript/Web Design
– C++
– Unity
– Processing and P5.js
– AWS
– SQL
Lighting
– Horticultural lighting design
– Lighting design and installation (theatre)
– Lighting Design (architectural)
– Lighting for circadian health
– LED specification
Miscellaneous
– Curriculum writing
– Teaching (all ages)
– Journalism/Marketing (press releases, SEO, interviewing)
STEM Education Advocacy
Despite coming from a school system that struggled to fund and teach the arts and STEM and being a first-generation college student, I am now working on my third STEM degree, and I have earned professional accolades as a designer and performer. Through all of my experiences, I’ve found that both the arts and sciences are incredibly important components of a well-rounded education that are historically underserved, especially for disadvantaged students. This inspired me to found Art Technically, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes STEM and Arts education through free workshops and lesson plans, special projects, and advocacy.