Glowing cubbyholes, lit with every color of the rainbow and filled with seemingly random items, captivated my 2-year-old self. The display became even more fascinating as I realized this 15-foot-long periodic table housed everyday objects containing samples of each element, and it remains my favorite exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. My experiences at the museum, alongside code.org projects, robotics and 3D printing at the Children’s Museum, and much more, sparked my love for science. This early exposure fueled my curiosity, leading me to enthusiastically pursue STEM and give back to the communities that nurtured my growth. My passion for STEM is deeply hands-on. Whether I’m welding structural frames, wiring circuits, or shaping wood into functional designs, I find joy in the tangible process of building. I’ve developed an appreciation for how materials interact, how theory translates into practice, and how even the smallest design decisions can influence the final product. These skills shape my approach to science and engineering, reinforcing my belief that the best solutions come from integrating diverse perspectives and methodologies. My commitment to STEM extends beyond my own learning—it’s about fostering inclusivity and ensuring opportunities for others. As founder of my school’s Society of Women Engineers chapter, I’ve worked to create a supportive space for young women in engineering. As a captain of our FIRST Robotics team, I’ve mentored students from marginalized areas, ensuring that STEM education is accessible and engaging. I believe leadership is about empowering others, and I apply this philosophy by developing outreach programs that make science tangible for students from all backgrounds. However, my path hasn’t been without challenges. Last year, I was the only girl in AP Calculus BC, a situation I’ve encountered in many advanced STEM courses. My school is engineering-focused, yet only 29% of the students are female—I’ve had to prove myself in environments where I am sometimes underestimated, learning to stand firm in my ideas and trust in my abilities. These experiences have strengthened my conviction and problem-solving skills, reinforcing my commitment to making STEM more inclusive. My diverse experiences have shaped my aspirations. I see myself as a nexialist—someone who connects disciplines to solve complex problems. My journey has been about forging links across chemistry, engineering, policy, and education to address real-world challenges. I’m particularly drawn to intersections between sustainability and technology, recognizing that science isn’t just about discovery, but also application. Growing up in a city frequently affected by hurricanes, flooding, and extreme heat, I’ve seen how environmental challenges disrupt lives. This awareness has driven my research in electrochemical carbon capture and my work at Moonflower Farms, where I help design mobile hydroponic systems for schools—creating sustainable, cost-effective solutions that bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility. In the lab, I conduct research on scalable electrochemical systems for carbon capture. Working alongside PhD candidates, I’ve contributed to industrial decarbonization, ocean alkalinization, and green hydrogen production. These experiences have reinforced my belief that scientific advancements must be designed for real-world implementation, ensuring that sustainability isn’t just an ideal, but a practical reality. I plan to apply my leadership skills and technical expertise to build interdisciplinary teams focused on creating sustainable, equitable solutions. I envision a future where modular, plug-and-play systems revolutionize carbon capture, agriculture, and clean energy. Ultimately, my passion for STEM is rooted in its ability to drive systemic change; I aim to be part of a generation that uses science and technology to build a better future. Through these fields, I hope to explore new solutions to global challenges and work toward a world where innovation serves the needs of all people.

The balance between renewable and traditional energy sources represents one of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—of our time. My journey toward understanding and addressing this balance has been shaped by experiences in research, entrepreneurship, and community outreach. Working in a lab on electrochemical carbon capture, green hydrogen production, and vanadium redox batteries for energy storage, collaborating with a hyper-local hydroponics farm, founding an algae biofuel startup, and engaging with global experts at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) have taught me how innovative technologies, existing infrastructure, and community education must converge to build a sustainable energy future. In Dr. Rahimi’s lab, I’ve explored electrochemical methods for carbon capture, enhancing ocean alkalinity to sequester atmospheric CO2, and green hydrogen production as a clean energy source. These projects focus on low-cost solutions, revealing how leveraging existing infrastructure can drive the practical application of sustainable technologies. For instance, pairing carbon capture systems with traditional fossil fuel plants allows for significant emission reductions while maintaining energy reliability. Similarly, green hydrogen production and ocean alkalinization can be integrated into industrial systems, contributing to global decarbonization without requiring an overhaul of current energy frameworks. The lab has taught me that successful energy transitions depend on melding cutting-edge research with the realities of infrastructure and cost. Three years ago, I founded an algae biofuel startup to explore the potential of carbon-negative energy solutions. By cultivating algae in nutrient-rich wastewater and extracting lipids to produce biofuels, I developed a closed-loop system that aligns environmental sustainability with energy production. Through this process, I delved into techno-economic analyses, gaining an appreciation for the immense R&D required to make new technologies viable. I discovered that while scaling a novel energy solution is a daunting challenge, it is a worthwhile endeavor that combines creativity with technical rigor. This experience reinforced the importance of small-scale innovation as a foundation for larger sustainability efforts. Attending the AGU conference further expanded my perspectives. Discussions with leading researchers highlighted unintended consequences of certain renewable technologies, such as the environmental impact of geothermal energy extraction on local water tables and ecosystems. These conversations underscored the importance of understanding the societal and ecological effects of energy transitions. Sustainable solutions must consider not only their technical feasibility, but also their impacts on the surrounding communities. For this reason, I’ve focused on bringing sustainable energy solutions to the community level. As an intern at Moonflower Farms, an urban hydroponics startup, I’ve worked to incorporate renewable energy into their farming systems while emphasizing education and outreach. By integrating solar panels and energy-efficient technologies, we’ve demonstrated how small-scale renewables can power local food systems sustainably. Through Moonflower’s nonprofit arm, I’ve helped develop curricula that teach community members–from elementary students to historically marginalized groups–how to adopt similar systems in their homes and neighborhoods. This emphasis on education ensures that sustainability is not just a technological innovation but a shared value, fostering widespread support for renewable energy adoption. My journey has shown me that sustainable energy solutions require more than technical innovation—they demand collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and perspectives. Whether conducting research in the lab, engaging with experts at AGU, or working with local communities, I’ve learned that the most effective solutions emerge from a nexus of science, infrastructure, and education. I plan to continue this work, focusing on practical, inclusive energy solutions that empower communities while protecting our planet and honoring Dennis Yakobson’s enduring dedication to sustainability. Guided by ambition, driven by impact, and fueled by passion, I aim to help create a world where renewable and traditional energy systems coexist in harmony, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally sound future for all.

TGIM—Mondays are my favorite day, as they mark another week of pursuing the things I care about most. Living in a city frequently affected by hurricanes, flooding, and extreme heat has made me acutely aware of the tangible impacts of environmental challenges, so this is where I’ve chosen to focus my efforts. Whether I’m optimizing carbon capture techniques in Dr. Rahimi’s electrochemistry lab, speaking with community members of Houston’s Fifth Ward advocating for climate justice, or collaborating on sustainable agriculture at Moonflower Farms, a hyper-local hydroponics startup, I’m driven by the belief that real change happens at the intersection of grassroots advocacy and top-down solutions. In Dr. Rahimi’s lab, my work focuses on developing systems that capture industrial carbon emissions while minimizing energy demands. Our research is more than academic; it has the potential to address real-world issues, such as the pollution plaguing Houston’s Third Ward, where my high school is located and where residents face severe health risks from toxic emissions. Tackling such large-scale problems requires innovation and precision, and has the potential to revolutionize life for communities like mine, turning challenges into opportunities for cleaner, healthier futures. While my work in the lab takes a top-down approach, my involvement with Rice Climate Justice embodies the opposite: grassroots advocacy. Collaborating with activists and local residents, I’ve worked to combat environmental injustices like creosote contamination in Houston’s historically marginalized neighborhoods. Together, we’ve spread the word among students, empowered residents to advocate for policy changes, and amplified voices that are too often ignored. These efforts have shown me that climate solutions must prioritize equity and inclusivity alongside innovation. At Moonflower Farms, I’ve seen how literal grass-roots efforts can create tangible change. By optimizing growing systems, engineering mobile units, and developing nonprofit programs, I’ve helped promote sustainable agriculture and increased food access for underserved communities. This hands-on work reflects my belief that scalable solutions begin at the community level and expand outward, rippling through neighborhoods and beyond. Beyond my environmental work, I strive to share my love of STEM. By founding my school’s Society of Women Engineers chapter, I created a space for underrepresented students to explore engineering and build confidence in their abilities. Through working together, sharing our talents and experiences, and celebrating our differences, we’ve created a synergy where expectations are exceeded, innovation thrives, and everyone, regardless of background, can envision themselves succeeding in fields that once seemed unattainable. Whether advocating for local and global conservation efforts at the Houston Zoo, creating STEM programming with the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Teen Advisory Council, or rehabilitating injured animals with the Wildlife Center of Texas, I’ve always sought to balance technical work with community engagement when volunteering my time. These experiences have taught me that smaller, local efforts can also contribute to broader environmental and social progress. Even when woodworking and welding with my grandpa on my occasional visits to Louisiana, our projects aim to help the local community. From welding table brackets for a Remembering Children ceremony to building lockable microphone cabinets for a community center, my hobbies help contribute to the greater good. Looking ahead, I plan to continue balancing these approaches. If accepted to Rice University, I’ll study materials science to develop sustainable technologies like better catalysts for carbon capture or polymers for green energy systems. If I attend UT Austin instead, I’ll pursue chemical engineering with the same goals. Either way, I’m committed to working at the forefront of climate innovation while staying grounded in community-driven action. Through outreach, advocacy, and innovation, I will continue planting seeds of change—locally and globally—cultivating a more sustainable and just future.