Hi, I’m Holly!

I’m a second-year graduate student at Rice University in Houston, Texas, pursuing a Thesis Masters’s in Earth Science. My research interests include the mechanics of natural systems such as volcanoes and landslides, and science education. Currently, I focus on the mechanics of Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii using discrete element modeling techniques. In the near future, I’ll be moving to Boulder, Colorado, to begin a PhD focused on geoscience education research at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Throughout my academic career, my passion for science communication, education, and outreach has blossomed. After my science outreach internship with the Society of Physics Students in the summer of 2020, I was motivated to share my outreach experience with my graduate department at Rice University. With the support of students and faculty, I created a science outreach committee a motivation to promote diversity and inclusion in the geosciences. Our goal is to share geoscience-related activities perfect for K-12 classrooms with local, under-represented schools.

In the future, I hope to continue doing work in science outreach and research on science education for the benefit of future generations.

In my free time, I love to explore Houston’s diverse food options, bake sourdough bread, bike, and pet my dog, Walter!

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