I am an active citizen of the astronomy and physics communities. I believe that it is our responsibility, as members of the STEM community, to address and fix the lack of diversity and equity in the pipeline to becoming a scientist. Below are some of the initiatives I've been involved with throughout my career.
ScientiFika
Team Co-lead (2024-present)
ScientiFika builds a supportive community for early-career and junior researchers. Every Friday, we host practical talks and discussions that break down complex scientific topics and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, networking, and mentorship in a relaxed, junior-focused environment.
Future Innovations in Gamma-rays Science Analysis Group (FIG-SAG)
Co-chair (2023-present)
I co-chair FIG-SAG, a collaborative group dedicated to defining the key scientific questions and technological needs for the future of space-based gamma-ray astronomy. We are developing a report to assess the current status and future requirements of the field -- vital as many existing missions approach the end of their lifespans -- with submission planned to NASA HQ by fall 2025. FIG-SAG welcomes contributions from all career stages and invites anyone interested to join our open, collaborative community.
website →GRAD-MAP
Team Co-lead (2019-2022)
As Astronomy Lead for GRAD-MAP, I supported efforts to broaden participation in graduate programs in astronomy and physics, particularly among students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). I worked with graduate-student volunteers and research mentors to help organize Winter Workshops and ten-week Summer Research programs at the University of Maryland, which provided undergraduate students with hands-on research experience, technical training, and professional development. I collaborated with physics departments across the North Atlantic region, coordinated outreach visits and science talks, and helped set up research placements with mentors from UMD, NASA Goddard, and NIST. I also partnered with the UMD Office of Diversity and Inclusion to develop mentor training sessions, adapted GRAD-MAP programming to virtual formats during the COVID-19 pandemic, and contributed to managing the program’s annual budget. website →
BANG! Seminars
Lead Organizer (2019-2021)
I also organized BANG! (Better Astronomy for the New Generation!), a seminar series aimed at promoting diverse career paths in astronomy and fostering discussions around equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). In addition to curating speaker lineups that highlighted a range of professional trajectories and lived experiences, I led an initiative to repurpose part of the BANG! seminar time during the COVID-19 pandemic into a regular community check-in space. This provided a crucial platform for informal interaction, mutual support, and open conversation, helping to combat the sense of isolation and disconnection experienced by many in the academic community during that time.
website →Fermi-LAT/GBM Collaborations Mentoring Program
Founder & Organizer (2020-2023)
As a member of the Fermi-LAT Collaboration’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, I founded and led the Fermi-LAT/GBM Mentoring Program, designed to support graduate students across both collaborations. I oversaw the Mentoring Program Committee, organized training sessions for dozens of new mentors and mentees, and established accessible structures to ensure ongoing support and meaningful engagement for all participants. The program has been running successfully to date and continues to provide a valuable framework for mentorship, professional development, and community-building within the high-energy astrophysics community.
website →Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees
Committee Member (Fermi-LAT: 2020-2023, UMD Astronomy: 2017-2021)
I actively served on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committees at both the University of Maryland’s Department of Astronomy and within the Fermi-LAT Collaboration, working to identify and address barriers to inclusion, promote equitable policies, and build initiatives that celebrate diversity. At UMD, I led efforts to establish a departmental mentoring program, standardized interview processes for prospective students and faculty, and advocated for changes to admissions practices, including adjustments to standardized test requirements. My contributions across both committees also included organizing climate surveys, facilitating workshops on inclusive practices, and working towards structural changes to better support underserved groups in astronomy. Through this work, I have helped foster more inclusive academic and research environments where all individuals are empowered to thrive and contribute to scientific progress.