Education
University of Wisconsin - Madison • Madison, WI
Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies - Environment & Resources, M.S. | September 2023 - TBD
Drake University • Des Moines, IA
Dual degree student, Triple Major in Public Relations (B.A.J.M.C.), Astronomy (B.S.), and Physics (B.A.) with a Minor in Mathematics | August 2014 - December 2018
Awarded the Jon Vermedahl Award for first-year physics student with most positive progress
Awarded the Holmes-Cowper Scholarship Award for Outstanding Junior Astronomy Student
Awarded 2017 Clarion Award for Written Original Material for Easter Seals ATC Facebook Content Calendar group submission
Recipient of the Presidential Scholarship from Drake University
Drake University Dean's List 2015 and Spring 2017, President's List Spring 2016
GPA: 3.46/4.0 Cumulative
Graduation: December 2018
Experience
Earthwise Pet • Madison, WI
Quarry Kennels • Stoughton, WI
Two Rivers Marketing • Des Moines, IA
Strategic Communications Specialist, February 2021– October 2021
Serves as the primary daily PR contact for four clients and provide regular status reports on current projects
Manage ongoing media relations and conduct active outreach to build more connections
Develop PR content such as press releases, case studies, social and website content
Provide PR strategy support to clients to accomplish target goals
Two Rivers Marketing • Des Moines, IA
Strategic Communications Coordinator, November 2019–February 2021
Assist in the ideation, planning and execution of PR content for clients to use as communication between their various audiences, such as press releases, social posts, articles and ads
Maintain working documents with research and insights to report to the client
The Science Center of Iowa • Des Moines, IA
Part-time Programs Presenter, January 2019–March 2020
Communicated scientific information in an entertaining, engaging, interactive, and relatable way to a variety of audiences in bite-size science shows
Engaged with visitors to encourage STEM learning and be a resource to the public
Traveled across the state of Iowa to bring science programming and presentations to new locations and populations
Lead the organization, coordination, and communication of monthly star party events that are free and available to the public, as well as operating the telescopes
The Museum of Flight • Seattle, WA
Brooke Owens Fellow Intern, Digital Learning Department, May 2018-August 2018
Adapted material science and astronomy curriculum to support student participation in a five-week MIT Zero Robotics competition program
Coordinated events and acquired skilled individuals as key-note speakers for the Western Aerospace Scholars Summer Program
Co-created and co-lead a week-long astronomy and aerospace camp for the middle school girls program, Amelia’s Aero Club
The drake Municipal observatory • Des Moines, IA
Observatory Assistant, September 2014–December 2018
Set up and operated reflecting Cassegrain telescopes, as well as use an 8 1/2 inch refractor
Located and identified various night sky objects for people to view
Educated visitors about the night sky and what they were observing
drake university physics and astronomy department • Des Moines, IA
Alumni Newsletter Editor, November 2017–December 2018
Assisted in the revitalization of the Drake Physics & Astronomy Department alumni semesterly newsletter
Planned newsletter content and wrote articles about department updates, news, and events as well as relevant topics in the scientific community
The annual • Des Moines, IA
Writer, November 2017–May 2018
Produced science-related articles for the Drake University award-winning magazine
Investigated scientific topics and articulated them to readers in an eloquent fashion
The Science Center of Iowa • Des Moines, IA
Camps Educator, May 2017–August 2017
Constructed and executed a scientific-based curriculum for children in grades 1st through 8th
Engaged and educated kids about various scientific concepts through intellectually stimulating and exciting activities while reaching them at their level of understanding
Collaborated with other staff to lead groups of approximately two dozen campers each week
Learned to be adaptable and comfortable working with all age groups and science topics to help instruct camps where needed
drake university school of journalism and mass communication • Des Moines, IA
Communications Research Coder, September 2017–January 2018
Primary Investigator: Matthew Thornton, Ph.D.
Conducted objective analysis of political articles associated with the 2016 presidential election
Categorized key components of articles to find themes and trends among the political media for the 2016 election
Drake University physics and astronomy department • Des Moines, IA
Physics Lab Grader, January 2017–May 2017
Evaluated Physics 011 lab reports to check for accuracy and understanding and gave constructive feedback
Drake University physics and astronomy department • Des Moines, IA
Astronomy Lab Assistant, January 2016–January 2017
Set up lab equipment such as telescopes, centrifuge instruments, and spectroscopes when needed for lab activities
Assisted students with lab activities and calculations when support was needed
Research Experience
drake university physics and astronomy department • Des Moines, IA
The Influence of Bulge Morphology on the Nuclei of Seyfert Galaxies
Student Research, January 2016-May 2018
Primary Investigator: Charles Nelson, Ph.D.
Analyzed Hubbell Space Telescope images of Seyfert galaxies to determine the host galaxy morphology and the bulge magnitude
Used software called GALFIT and IRAF and developed basic skill of image processing
Presented research poster at DUCARS 2016, DUCARS 2017 at Drake University and WoPhyS 2018 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
drake university physics and astronomy department • Des Moines, IA
MISSFIT (Magneto-Ionization Spacecraft Shield for Interplanetary Travel)
Student Research, January 2017-May 2018
Collaborative student-lead research project
Researched solar wind composition and magnetic field properties to develop a feasible radiation shield for interplanetary travel
Presented research poster at DUCARS 2017 at Drake University
Leadership & Community Engagement
Member of the Central Iowa PRSA Chapter
2018 Fellow of the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program
PR News PR People Award finalist in the Student of the Year category in 2018
President: The Society of Physics Students at Drake University (2015-2017)
Member of the Drake University PRSSA chapter
Student Volunteer: The Science Center of Iowa, Passageway Clubhouse, Christ Lutheran Church
Stoughton (WI) High School golf team player all four years; lettered in both athletics and academics
Computer Skills
Python, proficient skillset
IRAF, proficient skillset
GALFIT, basic skill of image processing
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), highly proficient
Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere Pro, proficient skillset
Invited Talks
Misic Conference: Focus on Inquiry • Ankeny, IA
Keynote speaker, April 12, 2018
PR senior Capstone presentation • Des Moines, IA
Co-presenter of PR senior capstone project, April 18, 2018
astronomy & physics senior capstone presentation
Des Moines, IA
Presenter of astronomy & physics senior capstone research project, May 5, 2018
Student panel discussion, Teaching & Learning Committee meeting for the drake Board of Trustees • Des Moines, IA
Student Panelist, October 5, 2018