I grew up as first-generation Asian American in beautiful sunny Southern California. I was not exposed to any outdoor activities often associated with the geosciences (camping, field work, climbing, multi-day hikes) until I assisted other graduate students in the field. As a result of being exposed to "the science of scenery" by Dr. Jimmy Guilinger, I was drawn to surface processes and narrowed my interests to sediment storage and transport following fires (pyrogeomorph). I am a strong advocate for supporting other underrepresented groups to participate and enroll in the geosciences and have developed a strong passion for teaching and educating students, and engaging in science communication and outreach with the local community.

I obtained my undergraduate degree in environmental science from the University of California, Riverside. I have excelled academically, graduating cum laude and finishing the coursework for both specializations that are offered at my alma mater (environmental toxicology and natural sciences). As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to conduct my research under Dr. Andrew Gray's and Dr. Nicolas Barth's guidance on boulders mobilized by shallow landslides induced by high-intensity rainfall. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I worked for a year at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) to calibrate and construct stormwater bioretention biofilters.

I am currently a Ph.D. student in Dr. Roman DiBiase's geomorphology group looking at sediment storage and transport in steep landscape. More specifically, I am looking in my backyard (the San Gabriel Mountains) and quantifying the controls and relation between dry sediment loading and post wildfire debris flows! Throughout my Ph.D., I have taught and will continue to teach students and mentor undergraduates through the NASA-WISER program at Penn State or through their senior thesis work.

I am also a member of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Geosciences (AAPIiG) and mentor undergraduates who plan on pursuing career paths in geosciences. I strive to incorporate DEI best practices and techniques that fit the Unlearning Racism in Geoscience Education (URGE) to ensure that a student from any background can participate in any sort of research in the geosciences (fieldwork, lab work, and remote-sensing work)! I also enjoy participating in broader science talks and seminars such as one offered by the Collaborative Center for Landslide Geohazards.

After obtaining my Ph.D., I hope to continue teaching others about the beauties of geomorphology as well as continuing to conduct postfire research to better improve the current debris flow hazard models, better understand how climate change affects the interplay between fire, flooding, and debris flows, continue promoting and supporting the participation and growth of underrepresented groups in the geosciences and educating the next generation of geoscientists to the best of my ability.

In my free time, you can catch me reading literature and historical texts about the late Roman Republic, playing video games like Pokemon and Genshin Impact, running, playing soccer, baseball, hiking, talking about the Dodgers, or crashing on a mountain bike!

Fun fact : My MTB nickname was "Crasher"! Lots of broken helmets and countless hospital visits to get stitches but surprisingly no broken bones!