In 2012, I set foot in the U.S. from Iran, fueled by the dream of obtaining an education in STEM. Lost initially, my trajectory took an exciting turn when one of my college consultants helped me fuse my mathematical prowess with a passion for physics and astronomy. The result? A deep dive into astrophysics, culminating in my graduation with the highest honors and an associate's degree in physics from Cerritos College in 2016.

In Spring 2014, I was recognized as one of the 34 students on the Cerritos College President's List for excellence in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. This accomplishment set the stage for a journey marked by continuous academic success, as I secured a place on the Dean's List in science, engineering, and mathematics during the spring and fall of 2014 and the fall of 2015. Concurrently, I had the privilege of participating in the Scholars Honors Program (SHP), a distinct facet of my academic pursuits that added depth to my educational experience.

In 2015, I earned further distinction by being selected to join a collaborative initiative led by NASA and the California Space Grant Consortium. This ambitious project, engaging twelve California Community College partners, aimed to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) preparation. The initiative not only recognized my potential, but also provided a bridge opportunity for 300 community college students, myself included, to seamlessly transition into STEM fields at the university level.

During this transformative period, I was part of a dynamic team of four that embarked on an innovative project – the construction of a sound-detecting mobile robot using low-cost microcomputers, specifically Arduinos. Our collective technical acumen and dedication culminated in an exciting opportunity to present our work at the prestigious Armstrong Flight Research Center.

For deeper insights into the details of this program and our collaborative project, please explore the information available on the CCSTEMCASGC website.

In the summer of 2016, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Gwen Rudie as my mentor at The Carnegie Astrophysics Summer Student Internship Program (CASSI). This ten-week internship and educational program, based at Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, allowed me to engage in collaborative, original research projects.

I used the IDL programming language and presented the first measurements of the covering fraction and velocity distribution of CIV and SiIV absorption systems at distances of 35 pkpc – 3 pMpc from foreground KBSS galaxies.

Below is the abstract for the research:

Observations of the baryonic flows into and out of galaxies that modulate the exchange of metals and hydrogen gas between galaxies and the circumgalactic medium (CGM) are crucial to our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. I will present results from the Keck Baryonic Structure Survey (KBSS), a unique spectroscopic survey including high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N~100) spectra of fifteen hyper luminous quasars (2.5<z<3.0) along with dense spectroscopic redshift surveys of foreground galaxies. We search the Keck/HIRES QSO spectra for metal absorption systems in the CGM of 1978 UV-selected star-forming galaxies with redshifts z~1.5-2.8. I will present the first measurements of the covering fraction and velocity distribution of CIV and SiIV absorption systems at distances of 35 pkpc – 3 pMpc from foreground KBSS galaxies. With these measurements we provide a first glimpse into the small- and large-scale chemical environment of galaxies at redshift z~1.5-3.

My astronomical journey soared to new heights at the University of California, Berkeley, where I proudly earned my bachelor's degree in astrophysics in 2018.

While studying at UC Berkeley, I took on the role of a Classroom Management Lead for the Office of The Registrar and worked as a research assistant with Dr. Jessica Lu. This period marked significant advancements in my academic and data-driven research skills, where I delved into Python, SAO Image DS9, LaTeX Typesetting, Linux, scientific writing, Jupyter Notebook, and many other analytical tools for large and complex data science. fter graduating in 2018, I served as a STEM tutor until November 2019 while exploring the next step in my career. Subsequently, I assumed the position of a Center Director at C2 Education in 2020. Unfortunately, the challenges posed by the pandemic led to the closure of the center, providing me with a unique opportunity for reflection and redirection.

During this hiatus, I pursued courses in Human Resources Management at Saddleback College online, discovering a harmonious blend of data analytics and data-driven work with Human Resources. This realization guided me towards my subsequent role as a senior compensation analyst at Gallagher. Recognizing the potential in the field, I progressed from an associate consultant to my current position as a compensation consultant. One of my ongoing development objectives is to continue familiarizing myself with AI, its diverse applications, and how it can be effectively utilized in compensation and, more broadly, in human resources.