I recently returned to the U.S. after four years abroad as a postdoctoral researcher in astrophysics at the Technion in Haifa, Israel. I finished my B.S. in physics at Georgia Tech and then a Master's in physics and a Ph.D. in astronomy from Georgia State University.
Before I settled on physics and astronomy as a career, I concentrated on a variety of subjects such as philosophy, literature, and chemistry. After working in the chemistry lab and becoming increasingly interested in advanced science coursework, my professors prompted me to take physics, which I saw as having very interesting parallels to philosophy. Eventually this inquisitiveness led me to astronomy. If I really wanted to discover the mysteries of the universe, I reasoned, eventually I would have to pick up a telescope.
Throughout my graduate studies, I taught undergraduate students from various backgrounds in both lab and classroom settings as well as tutored individual students in math, physics, and astronomy. As a researcher, I led groups and individual students through projects - from data collection to publishing results. These experiences honed not only my teaching skills but also developed my writing and editing abilities.
I enjoy the challenge of explaining what can seem like difficult concepts to students in various ways until the concept is learned. In my spare time, I enjoy reading fiction (mostly sci-fi), listening to music of all sorts, playing guitar, and watching movies.