Photonics Society at UCSB, External Affairs Chair
Summer 2016 – Present The Photonics Society at UCSB is a student chapter of the IEEE Photonics Society. Throughout the year, the Photonics Society hosts prestigious speakers in the field of photonics, organizes science outreach events, and serves as liaison between the photonics research community at UCSB and the thriving photonics industry in Santa Barbara. As the External Affairs chair, I have co-authored two successful outreach grants, planned a speaker seminar, and organized the inaugural Women in Photonics Week. |
Beyond Academia Conference Committee
Spring 2015 – Summer 2016 The Beyond Academia Conference is a student-organized conference aimed at preparing graduate students and post-doctoral scholars for careers outside of academia. As a founding member of Beyond Academia, I secured four sponsors for our conference and organized and moderated a panel on careers in Non-profits, Government, and NGOs. |
Graduate Students for Diversity in Science (GSDS)
Fall 2014 – Present GSDS is a student group at UCSB aimed at promoting diversity in STEM fields. We bring in illustrious scientists from all over the world who have contributed to improving the diversity climate in STEM during their career. GSDS also hosts undergraduate students from the local California State Universities (CSU) to visit the UCSB campus and meet with graduate students and faculty. As part of my work with GSDS, I developed a well-received GRE workshop for the CSU students, in response to a recent study indicating that the GRE may prohibit students from underrepresented backgrounds from entering graduate school. |
Poetry Workshop at Santa Barbara County Juvenile Probation Center
Spring - Summer 2014 The Santa Barbara County Juvenile Probation Center is a center where children under the age of 18 serve probation sentences as punishment for a crime they have committed. I independently founded and raised funds for a weekly poetry workshop at this center, where I led groups of teenagers in poetry writing exercises to help them use writing as a means for tackling issues such as depression, addiction, and other complex topics affecting their difficult lives. |
University of Michigan Solar Car Team, Interim Engineering Director
Spring 2009 – Winter 2010 The University of Michigan Solar Car team designs, builds, and races solar-powered vehicles in several national and worldwide competitions. As an undergraduate, I served as the team’s Interim Engineering Director, where I organized training of fifty electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineers in designing, building, and testing solar car systems. |