My life has been full of personal challenges: being in foster care at a young age, moving from Belgium to the United States in 2012, being a foster parent, buying a house, and even more recently, some health issues due to COVID. My only certainty and security throughout these difficult times were education and research. From an early age, this was my passion and the reason for my perseverance. I started assisting with research at 12 years old, and I began my own independent research at age 14. During that time, most of my research was biology-related. Research has been my outlet for the biggest part of my life, as I felt misunderstood and did not fit in at high school; I was labeled “a nerd.” I never let these obstacles influence my passion and desire for more knowledge. Even then, I was mature enough to leave these comments behind me and always look forward; these comments still influenced me and may often be painful. However, I still had my eyes set on the prize: research! …. I excelled in research and even won the Jaques Kets prize, a prize in Biology for Masters students by the Royal Zoological Institute, at the age of 16 for my high school research regarding the Characteristics of Hibernacula of Bats by Species. I take great pride in my achievements, given that I was the child labeled “weird,” as well as having many things stacked against me.
Currently, no one besides myself has attempted a higher education in my family. Many people in my family did not even finish high school. Given these circumstances, my confidence in my abilities to succeed was below average. Pursuing a degree in Geology was both exciting and worrisome at the same time; however, I found the courage to give it my all and enjoy each opportunity as it came. I motivated myself to overcome my family’s stigma of incompleteness and become the first one to earn a college degree. I refused to give up: I enrolled at Idaho State University (ISU) to pursue an Honors degree in Geology. As a first-generation student, I encountered many challenges daily. Imposter syndrome is a struggle that is not alien to me, and I lacked confidence in my abilities to succeed. Growing up, it was instilled in me to give up when things got hard, and giving up was more accepted than working through challenges. However, I overcame this mindset in high school and have continued to overcome it since then. In addition to my lack of confidence, I also struggled financially throughout my life. I grew up without necessities, such as nutritious food, a bathroom, a kitchen, a bedroom, and sand as a floor. Therefore, my drive to excel and obtain my needs was hyper-strong. Even though my upbringing was more challenging than some, I have been able to buy a house, provide for myself, and flourish as a college student through hard work and grit. Not only has my personal life been affected by my efforts and perseverance, but I have also experienced rewarding opportunities as an academic, such as being in the Honors program and as a McNair Scholar here at ISU.
I know that my will and desire to succeed will keep me on track to reach my desired goal of getting a Ph.D. in Geophysics. In pursuing a Ph.D. at your University, I aim to further my academic career and experience and as well as ultimately achieve my professional goal of becoming a professor. I strive to be an example for others through research, mentoring, and teaching. As a former mentor for the START (Successful Transitions And Retention Track) program at ISU, I have learned firsthand what it takes to be an excellent mentor to other students and how to motivate them to reach their goal of graduating from the program and continuing their academic path. The START program provides social and academic support for students that encounter and manage barriers, such as addictions, problems with law enforcement, feeling inadequate, and never receiving an opportunity to attend college. I value this program deeply since I have had to overcome challenging situations like START scholars, and I am incredibly passionate about ensuring everyone receives equal opportunities in education. This experience made me realize that I want to focus on research and gaining knowledge by participating in as many opportunities as possible. Although I deeply enjoy research and teaching, I want to use these learning modalities to provide opportunities for others.
As a sophomore, I researched stable isotopes and the past productivity of lakes in Idaho in relationship to climatic change. I presented this research at the ISU Undergraduate Research Conference in 2021. During the summer of 2021, I assisted in several research projects, such as water-lava interactions in the Table Butte area in Idaho, Understanding water infiltration in correlation with snowpack, and spatiotemporal analysis to predict drying patterns in a tributary. Through these experiences, I have found that my research interest is geophysics and understanding what is not as quickly seen and often misunderstood. I feel deeply obligated to make something misunderstood understood, and it allows me to follow my heart through academic settings. Like myself, geophysics is often misunderstood; just like I try to make myself understood by others, I want to help people understand better how imperative it is that we value the world we live in through my research.
For me, geophysics is this enormous world of new exciting challenges where I cannot wait to dive in and learn even more. Being able to open my eyes and see something that is often unseen leaves me with a sense of curiosity and adventure. My interest in geophysics peaked when I assisted with geophysics research in the summer of 2021 through the University of Wyoming at ISU. I was so fascinated by the different techniques used and the data generated. At that moment, I knew that geophysics would be both my personal and professional passion. Everything about it fascinates me, and nothing can stop me from expanding my knowledge of this field. Due to my interest in this subject, I am currently independently researching the subsurface characteristics that drive stream intermittency in Dr. Sarah E. Godsey’s lab at ISU - using Seismic Velocity and Electrical Resistivity Tomography data and ground penetrating radar. In addition to doing research, I also worked on a project developing a website that provides children from upper elementary grade levels access to learn more about STEM subjects. I have also assisted in the physics outreach program for the last two years. This is another example of my passion for reaching people interested in higher education who do not feel they have access to these opportunities because of their circumstances or families.
While there are skills that I hope to build on at your university, I also bring a multitude of experiences. Through my experiences, I have shown mastery in analytical thinking, perseverance, passion, attention to detail, and critical thinking. Your program is a perfect fit for me, as it will challenge me to expand my knowledge and hard and soft skills in this specific field. Additionally, the program aligns with my interests and passions. Although I already have experience with some techniques, I find it exciting to get the chance to learn firsthand the process of how a successful research group is started, as well as the dos and don'ts for my future career. I am also enthusiastic to hone my teaching skills, as I know being a well-rounded educator is crucial to be a great professor. Although my fieldwork experience and prior work experiences have taught me how to think quickly and solve problems constructively, with more knowledge and training, I can better understand processes to adapt and adjust while in the field.
I choose your university as it aligns with my interests and my dream. I know that your program will provide me with many opportunities and successfully prepare me for an academic career. Geophysics is my passion, and I cannot wait to indulge myself and expand my knowledge.