I am an academic leader with a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Yale University. In my current role as an Academic Program Manager at College Track, I deliver a culturally responsive curriculum, provide individualized advice to high school scholars, and lead initiatives to cultivate an empowering environment. Previously, as an Academic Advising Coordinator at the Colorado School of Mines, I managed a caseload of 750 undergraduates while collaborating with faculty to streamline the curriculum. Throughout my academic career, I have conducted impactful research, published findings, and earned recognition for conference presentations. As a geologist and paleobiologist, my research has focused on analyzing ancient communities’ structure and ecology. By combining large databases with cutting-edge analytical techniques like network analysis and machine learning, I have investigated topics such as the fossilization potential of different environments, spatial biases in evolutionary rates, and ecological changes across major events like mass extinctions. I have also studied the effects of extreme climate change on life and modeled how organisms respond to heat stress.  As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, I am passionate about empowering students from underserved communities. For instance, I have worked to expand educational access by establishing a graduate-undergraduate mentoring program at Yale and coaching British high schoolers in applying to U.S. universities. I aim to leverage my academic leadership experience, research skills, and commitment to educational equity to make a positive difference.