Resume

Graduate

AST591: Astrophysics (A+) • AST598: Origins of Solar Systems (A) • AST598: Science Communication (A) • AST523: Stars/Interstellar Medium • AST531: Galaxies and Cosmology I

Undergraduate 

(*Classes completed with Honors credit)

Earth and Space Sequence: *SES121/123: Earth, Solar System and Universe + Lab (A/A+) • *SES126/128: Exploration of the Universe + Lab (A-/A) • SES230: Coding for Exploration (A+) • SES494: Planetary Impact Processes (A)

Astronomy Sequence: AST321: Intro/Planetary/Stellar Astrophysics (A) • AST322: Intro/Galactic/Extra/Astrophys (A+) • AST422: Astrophysics II (A) • AST421: Astrophysics I (A+)

 Mathematics Sequence: MAT242: Elementary Linear Algebra  (A) • MAT265: Calculus for Engineers I (A) • MAT266: Calculus for Engineers II (A) • MAT267: Calculus for Engineers III (B) • MAT 275: Modern Differential Equations (B) 

Physics Sequence: PHY150: Physics I (B) • PHY 131/132: Physics II (A) • PHY252: Physics III (A+) • *PHY201: Math Methods Physics I (A) • PHY314: Quantum Physics • PHY494: Student Leaders and Mentors (A+)  

Chemistry Sequence: CHM233/237: General Organic Chemistry I + Lab • CHM234/238: General Organic Chemistry II + Lab • CHM325/326: Analytical Chemistry + Lab (A/A+) • CHM 327/328: Instrumental Analysis + Lab (A+/A)• CHM345/348: Physical Chemistry I + Lab (A-/A) • CHM346/349: Physical Chemistry II + Lab (A+/A) • CHM453/452: Inorganic Chemistry + Lab (A-/A-)

Biochemistry Sequence: BCH463: Biophysical Chemistry (A+) • BCH494: Science is Fun! (A+)  

French/Linguistics Sequence: FRE305: Readings in French Literature (A) • *FRE311: Oral and Written Expression I (A-) • FRE312: Oral and Written Expression II (A) • FRE321: French Cultural Masterpieces I (B) • FRE322: French Cultural Masterpieces II (A) • FRE325: French Language and Culture through Film (B) • *FRE484: Internship (A+/A+/A/A+) • *SLC201: Introduction to Linguistics (A) 

Honors Sequence: *HON 498 Topic: Thesis Stories: Honors Thesis Learning Experience (A)

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• Studied abroad with the *GIE: Mediterranean Food and Culture in Sicily (2022)

• HON498: Develop materials for supporting honors students in developing their honors projects. Involved writing and telling stories about problem-solving and innovation during the process, as it relates to individual projects, as well as how to plan for the thesis as a whole and in general. Deliverables include a verbal storytelling to be uploaded by Barrett the Honors College to their main website, as well as interactive Q&A-style documents to be provided to students. 

• BCH494: Bring education to communities around Arizona. Projects include demonstrations, activities, and tabling events. Additionally, I worked to develop content for my Honors Thesis and had it distributed to the other members of the class for use in facilitation. 

• PHY494: Mentor a student twice a week on various subjects, including math, college management and organization, class selection, writing, astrophysics classes, and more.

• *FRE484: Develop lesson plans and activities to teach a class and club for middle schoolers in French at McKemy Academy of International Studies. Create a non-judgmental and open environment to encourage a well-rounded development of beginner French skills. In the Spring 2024 semester, I also provided materials for a French student who is learning English at the school. 

[March 2024- Present]

NASA's Mission to Psyche

Arts, Exhibits, and Archiving Assistant and Psyche Inspired Art Program Intern 

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[February 2022- Present]

Arizona Science Center

Science Communicator and Engagement Specialist 

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[September 2022- October 2024]

 NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Student Multimedia Designer

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[November 2022- January 2023]

Enchant Christmas 

Ice Trail Supervisor

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[August 2021- December 2021]

Arizona State University 

Note Taker for the School of Earth and Space Exploration

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[August 2019- January 2022]

Ice Den Chandler 

Guest Service Representative

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[July 2019]

Music Makers Workshop

Assistant teacher for Kids Summer Art Camp

Conference Presentations

• Hailey Nelson (2026). The Experience: Bringing Engaging Education to All presented at: Future of Learning Community Fest; February 5-6, 2026; Tempe, Az

• Hailey Nelson (2026). The Experience: Bringing Engaging Education to All presented at: The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Conference; January 4-8th, 2026; Phoenix, Az

• Hailey Nelson (2025). The Experience: Bringing Engaging Education to All presented at: Barrett The Honors College Honors Symposium; April 16, 2025; Tempe, Az

• Hailey Nelson, Chase Rotteger, Hannah Rucker, Scott Sayres (2025). Exploring the Foundation of Life in the Universe with Ultrafast Dynamics presented at: AZ Space Grant Consortium Symposium; April 19, 2025; Tempe, Az

• Hailey Nelson, Chase Rotteger, Hannah Rucker, Scott Sayres (2025). Exploring the Foundation of Life in the Universe with Ultrafast Dynamics presented at: The School of Earth and Space Exploration Internal Symposium/Graduate Fair; February 20, 2025; Tempe, Az

• Hailey Nelson, Chase Rotteger, Hannah Rucker, Scott Sayres (2025). Exploring the Foundation of Life in the Universe with Ultrafast Dynamics presented at: The School of Molecular Sciences Graduate Fair; March 1, 2025; Tempe, Az

• Hailey Nelson, Chase Rotteger, Hannah Rucker, Scott Sayres (2025). Exploring the Foundation of Life in the Universe with Ultrafast Dynamics presented at: AZ Space Grant Poster Session; February 12, 2025; Tempe, Az

• Hailey Nelson, Chase Rotteger, Scott Sayres (2024). The Dynamics of Gas-Phase Peptide Bond Formation presented at: Arizona Bioindustry Association; September 18, 2024; Phoenix, Az

Invited Presentations

• Keynote speaker at the First Star non-profit for foster and homeless youth event (January 2026)

• Keynote speaker at the Association for Women in Physics ASU meeting (November 2025)

• Panelist at Dr. Molly Simon’s SES 121 Earth, Solar System, and Universe class to discuss graduate student experiences, reflections, and advice for incoming freshmen in the School of Earth and Space Exploration (November 2025)

• Keynote speaker at Astronomy On Tap: Valley of the Sun, Get Psyched about Psyche! (October 2025)

• Keynote speaker at Bioscience High School’s STEM Week (October 2025)

• Gave the keynote address at the NASA Space Grant Alumni Night (January 2025)

• Presented a two-hour seminar for Feria de las Ciencias 2024 by Bachillerato Bivalente de Talentos to 110 students across four high schools in Guanajuato, Mexico, which was also broadcast across the entire state by the Department of Education of Guanajuato. Talk entitled: “Navigating Interdisciplinary Science: Pathways Between Chemistry, Astrophysics, and Beyond.” Topics covered include chemistry and astrophysics research, informal education, and NASA’s Psyche mission, as well as how to get involved in each topic (October 2024)

• Keynote speaker at the Arizona Science Center’s Girls in STEM ‘Awesome Astronomy’ Event, talking about the experience in STEM education and encouraging students to pursue their dream careers (2024)

• Presenter at the SES191: Career & Internships Discussion class to help incoming freshmen in the School of Earth and Space Exploration learn about opportunities and how to get involved in college (November 2024)

• Talk associated with the Karen Valentine Science Communication Award for the School of Earth and Space Exploration Community Conversation Event (December 2024)

• Recipient of the University Graduate Fellowship (2026)

• Recipient of the Graduate College Enrichment Fellowship (2025-2027)

• Recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence Award (2024-2025)

• Recipient of the Karin Valentine Science Communication Award (2024)

• Member of the ASU Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society (2024- Present)

• Member of the Society of Physics Students (2024- Present)

• Member of Sigma Pi Sigma: The Physics and Astrophysics Honors Society (2024-Present)

• Recipient of the School of Molecular Sciences Scholarship (2024-2025)

• Recipient of The Mensch Prize for Barrett Students for Physical Sciences (2024-2025)

• Member of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) (2023-present)

• Arizona State University Presidential Scholarship Recipient (2021-2025)

• Recipient of Arizona State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s List (repeated semesters)

• Seal of Biliteracy Award in the French Language (2021)

• Member of the National Science Honors Society (2021)

• Member of the National Honor Society (2019-2021)

• Member of the National Society of High School Scholars (2017-2021)

• Member of the National French Honor Society (2020-2021)

• Formal Certificate for Adobe Illustrator (2017-2021)

• Accepted to Brown Pre-College Program (unable to attend because of Covid-19) (2020)

• Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence for graduating with a 4.0 GPA from Altadena Middle School (2017)

• Member of National Junior Honor Society (2016-2017)

• Member of the planning committee for the Arizona Astrobiology Symposium (January 2025- Present)

• Co-investigator for the School of Earth and Space Exploration’s Prison Education Program (2025-present)

• Co-founder for the Open House Club at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University (2025-Present)

• Awarded and selected to attend a course for Introductory Pressure Suit/Space Suit Operations Course with BioSphere 2 (2025)

• Member of the School of Earth and Space Exploration’s Outreach and Public Programs team, developing content for the Magic Planet, a 3D planet model allowing users to explore the solar system (2023-2025)

• Arizona State University Astronomy Club (2022-2025)

• Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, Arizona State University  (2022-2025)

• Arizona State University French Club (2021-present)

• Team Member of the Ice Denettes Synchro Figure Skating Synergy Team (Open Juvenile) (2021-2023)

  • Won 3rd place, Synchronized Fall Classic (2021) 

  • First team from Arizona to compete at Sectionals in Michigan (2022)

  • Won 3rd place, Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships (2022)

  • Won 5th place, Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships (2023)

• Member of the Desert Ice Skating Club of Arizona (2017- Present)

• Member of US Figure Skating’s Skating Program at Ice Den Chandler (2017-2021)

• Team Member of the Ice Denettes Synchro Skating Harmony Team (Pre-Juvenile) (2019-2020)

  • Won 2nd place, Synchronized Fall Classic (2019)

  • Won 1st place, Synchronized California State Winter Games (2020)

• Peer Tutor for Desert Vista High School Peer Tutoring Club 

  • Tutor middle/high school students in AP/Honors Chem, Gen/Honors Chem+Phys, Gen/Honors Algebra 1+2, Honors Geometry, Honors Bio, Gen/Honors French 1-8

• Captain of the Ice Denettes Synchro Skating Harmony Team (Pre-Juvenile) (2019- 2020)

• Completed Rhode Island School of Design Class for Game Design in Unity (2020)

• Leader of Desert Vista Peer Tutoring “Cram for Exams” sessions (2020-2021)

• Link Crew Commissioner for Desert Vista Link Crew (2020) and member (2019-2021)

• Project manager for the Online Schooling Tips+Tricks Presentation run by Link Crew (2020)

• Piano student at Music Maker Workshops (2017-2021)

• President of Desert Vista Art Club (2019-2020)

• Arizona State University’s Summer Art Camp (2018 and 2019)

• Ice Den Synchro Summer Camp (Summer 2019)

• Ice Den Synchro Pre-Season (Summer 2019)

• Taught a full day of sixth and seventh graders at McKemy Academy of International Studies, discussing astrophysical topics of their interest, including, but not limited to, dark matter, dark energy, black holes, and more (January 2026)

• Guest instructor at the YMCA Summer Camp about acid-base chemistry (July 2025)

• Selected as an Instructor volunteer for Clubes de Ciencia Mexico in Guanajuato, Mexico, to teach students ages 17-22 about Spectroscopy and Astrophysics in a week-long course titled “Beyond Earth: Cosmic Light Odyssey” that was independently curated, created, and presented (July 2024)

• Volunteer at STEM Night at Broadmoor Elementary School (2024)

• Volunteer for the Empty Bowls program, which supports local food banks and homeless shelters (2024)

• Taught a class with Astronaut and Senator Mark Kelly (2023)

  • Activities included facilitating space-related activities for local elementary classes

• Assistant in various science-based magic shows with Jason Latimer (2023)

• Volunteer judge for the Broadmor Elementary School Science Fair (2023, 2024)

• Led and facilitated free science activities for families at the Tempe Public Library (2022)

• Led an intermediate Chemistry Patch workshop for Girl Scout Cadettes (2022, 2024)

• Lead a beginner Chemistry Patch workshop for a troop of Girl Scout Juniors (2022, 2024)

• Leader of the Brain, Neuron, and Microscope Booths, ASU Brain Fair for Children, and ASU Open Door Community Science Outreach Events (Annually 2015-2020)

• Led brain dissection and other booths, taught kids to make brain and neuron models, taught kids to use microscopes, taught about brain areas and functions

• 5K Charity Run for Cancer Research

• Volunteered for the welcome and administration booth

• Teacher’s Aid for French Classes at Desert Vista High School (French 1-2/3-4, Honors French 3-4)

• Painted murals throughout the school as a Member and Co-President of the Desert Vista Art Club (2017-2019)

• Designed and Presented to Executive Leadership, 2017 Altadena Courtyard Renovation Project