I have had many incredible firsts in my career, but nothing compares to the feeling of flying an aircraft for the first time. When I was a child, I used to sit at the top of the stairs and pretend I was a pilot while my grandparents watched from below. I would tell them that one day I was going to fly to the most interesting places in the world to do science. Looking back, not much has changed. My grandparents grew up in Ireland during a time when educational opportunities were limited. Through their hard work and perseverance, they created opportunities for future generations that they never had themselves. I do not think any of us could have imagined that I would one day be pursuing a degree in astrophysics, conducting NASA research, and learning to fly. My path to aviation was not traditional. I returned to education as a non-traditional student and worked full-time in research throughout my degree to fund my education. There were periods when paying tuition was uncertain, and balancing academic responsibilities with professional commitments could be isolating. A turning point came when I was awarded a NASA undergraduate research fellowship, which provided financial stability and opened the door to opportunities I had only dreamed of. Since then, I have worked as a research assistant at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, contributing to mission science efforts for LISA, SPICE, and the Black Hole Explorer mission. My passion for aviation stems from the same motivation that drives my scientific career: exploration. I have completed two trans-Pacific ocean crossings and accumulated more than 19,000 nautical miles at sea while conducting expedition science in remote environments. Those experiences taught me to make sound decisions under pressure, operate safely in dynamic conditions, and work effectively within small teams. When I flew an aircraft off the coast of Hawaiʻi for the first time, I immediately recognized the same sense of challenge and discovery that had drawn me to exploration throughout my life. Leadership has become a central part of my professional development. As Project Manager of the MAHINA Project at the University of Hawaiʻi Human Spaceflight Program, I lead multidisciplinary teams conducting analog astronaut studies that help prepare for future Artemis-era lunar exploration. This role requires coordinating researchers, managing logistics, balancing competing priorities, and ensuring scientific objectives are achieved in challenging field environments. I also served as Principal Investigator for the PORIS instrument during the CHILL-ICE II analog astronaut mission in Iceland, where I led scientific operations in lava tube environments that serve as analogs for planetary exploration. Additionally, I led a human subjects study investigating human performance in isolation during an ocean passage from the Chilean Antarctic Territory to Mexico. Managing research in these extreme environments reinforced the importance of adaptability, communication, and maintaining team cohesion under demanding conditions. For me, leadership is not about authority—it is about enabling others to succeed. Whether coordinating analog astronaut missions, conducting NASA research, or mentoring students interested in aerospace, I strive to create opportunities for others while contributing to larger goals. Aviation represents another frontier where I can continue to challenge myself, serve others, and advance exploration. As I continue my flight training, I hope to combine my experience in science, human spaceflight, and aviation to contribute to the future of aerospace exploration and inspire others to pursue ambitious goals of their own.

Aerospace connects humanity to unexplored environments with the capacity to increase human knowledge, allowing us to embrace challenges which drive innovation and development. Operating in Earth orbit and beyond poses unique challenges and boundless opportunities. Aerospace is a frontier which advances our engineering and technology as we embrace our natural curiosity and innate need for exploration. It is the gateway to our future among the stars and our vantage point to look back upon our home, to understand and protect our own planet. In our own skies, aviation sits at the intersection of humans and technology, pushing the boundaries of aeronautics. Sonic booms are silenced as quiet supersonics take to the air, with the X-59 exceeding the sound barrier as never before. Fifth-generation fighter jets demonstrate aerial abilities that exemplify the seemingly limitless power of aeronautical innovation. Airborne science campaigns probe our atmosphere, monitor our ecosystems, and carry experimental payloads to fly onboard future satellite missions. Space planes like the X-37B and Dream Chaser reach for the stratosphere and beyond once again, following in the wake of the Space Shuttle. Earth orbit has become populated with space-based infrastructure that underpins modern society, enabling global navigation with GPS, communication through satellite networks, and providing the most isolated regions of the planet with a means to connect. Hazardous asteroid warning systems, weather forecasting, environmental monitoring serve to protect and preserve life on Earth. Space stations have maintained human outposts beyond our planet, serviced by reusable rockets and next generation launch vehicles. The Artemis missions usher in a new age of human spaceflight, vowing to return us to the surface of the Moon, to the lunar farside. This time, we’re there to stay as lunar base designs are made and commercial launch vehicles race to meet the demand. In our own solar system Martian rovers explore barren, untouched surfaces, once flooded with liquid water. Icy worlds host unexplored liquid oceans, offering the most promising locations in the search for extraterrestrial life within our solar system. Further still, at 1.5 million kilometers away, positioned at the Sun-Earth’s second Lagrangian point, our generation’s most advanced space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, looks further back into cosmic history than ever before. Exoplanets are uncovered, mysterious Little Red Dots hint at how galaxies and black holes have co-evolved, and complex astrochemistries are revealed. Later this year, the Roman Space Telescope will launch into space to map the visible cosmos, investigating dark energy and dark matter. In our lifetime, the first space-based gravitational wave detector, LISA will unveil a universe that cannot be seen with light, allowing humankind to observe the echoes of colossal cosmic giants whose gravitational motions send ripples through spacetime itself. Black hole formation events in the early universe, neutron star binaries, gravitational wave signatures from black hole mergers creating the conditions for galaxy formation - all detectable from space for the first time. With each detection, each mission, we creep ever closer to knowing how we came to be and how the story of our universe will end. At 15 billion miles away the most distant human-made object, humanity’s message in a bottle, Voyager 1 hurtles through space. It carries the story of our civilization, our actions alone will determine if it outlasts us. Aerospace spans the sky above our heads to our most distant creations; to live in the modern world is to live in the world of aerospace. It is important because it holds the key to understanding our past, stabilizing our present and ensuring our future.

Science and exploration have taught me that progress is rarely the result of individual effort alone. The most meaningful discoveries emerge when people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives work together toward a shared objective. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have sought opportunities that place me in diverse teams operating in challenging environments, and these experiences have shaped how I hope to contribute to a more empathetic and understanding global community. As an astrophysics student and researcher, I have worked on projects that span disciplines, institutions, and countries. My research at NASA Goddard contributes to the science case for future space missions, while my work in human spaceflight explores how people interact with technology and one another in remote environments. These experiences have shown me that scientific advancement depends not only on technical expertise but also on communication, trust, and mutual respect. The most successful teams are often those in which individuals take the time to understand different viewpoints and create space for others to contribute. My commitment to building understanding extends beyond the laboratory. As Project Manager of MAHINA, an interdisciplinary lunar analog research initiative at the University of Hawai‘i, I lead students and collaborators from a variety of academic backgrounds. Bringing together engineers, scientists, pilots, and students requires more than coordinating technical work. It requires creating an environment where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to share ideas. I have learned that leadership is not about directing others toward a predetermined outcome; it is about fostering collaboration and helping individuals recognize the value of perspectives different from their own. Expeditionary environments have reinforced these lessons. Whether participating in an analog astronaut mission, conducting field research, or spending extended periods at sea, I have experienced firsthand how isolation, uncertainty, and challenging conditions affect human performance. In these environments, success depends on empathy. Understanding the needs, motivations, and challenges faced by teammates becomes essential to maintaining trust and accomplishing shared goals. These experiences have taught me that empathy is not simply a personal virtue; it is a practical skill that strengthens teams and enables people to overcome difficult challenges together. I hope to use my unique combination of scientific research, human spaceflight experience, and expeditionary leadership to help build communities that value collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and experiences. Future challenges—from climate change to space exploration—will require global cooperation on an unprecedented scale. The ability to listen, communicate effectively, and understand different perspectives will be just as important as technical innovation. Throughout my career, I intend to continue creating opportunities that connect people through science and exploration. Scientific discovery has the power to unite individuals around questions that transcend borders and backgrounds. By fostering inclusive teams, mentoring future researchers, and promoting collaboration across communities, I hope to contribute to a world in which curiosity, respect, and shared purpose bring people together. In doing so, I believe I can help build a more empathetic and understanding global community capable of addressing the complex challenges of the future.

**Why Calculus Is Important to STEM** Calculus is one of the most important mathematical tools in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It provides a framework for understanding change, motion, growth, and complex systems, making it essential for solving real-world problems. From predicting planetary orbits to designing aircraft and developing new technologies, calculus serves as a foundational language that allows STEM professionals to describe and analyze the world around us. At its core, calculus studies rates of change and accumulation. These concepts appear throughout STEM disciplines. In physics, calculus is used to describe motion, forces, energy, and electromagnetic fields. Newton's laws of motion, which form the basis of classical mechanics, rely heavily on derivatives and integrals. Without calculus, it would be impossible to accurately model the trajectories of spacecraft, predict the behavior of waves, or understand the dynamics of complex physical systems. Engineering depends on calculus to design safe and efficient structures, vehicles, and technologies. Civil engineers use calculus to analyze loads on bridges and buildings. Aerospace engineers apply it to understand aerodynamics and optimize flight performance. Electrical engineers use calculus to model circuits, signal processing, and communication systems. By allowing engineers to predict how systems behave under changing conditions, calculus helps transform theoretical concepts into practical solutions. Calculus is equally important in technology and computer science. Many modern algorithms, particularly those used in artificial intelligence and machine learning, rely on optimization techniques based on calculus. Gradient descent, a fundamental method used to train neural networks, depends on derivatives to minimize error and improve model performance. As technology continues to advance, calculus remains an essential tool for developing innovative software and computational systems. In mathematics itself, calculus serves as a bridge between algebra, geometry, and advanced mathematical fields. It provides techniques for solving problems that cannot be addressed through basic arithmetic or algebra alone. Topics such as differential equations, multivariable analysis, and numerical modeling all build upon calculus concepts. These mathematical tools are then applied across nearly every scientific discipline. Beyond specific applications, studying calculus develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It teaches students how to break complex problems into manageable parts, recognize patterns, and construct logical solutions. These skills are valuable not only in STEM careers but also in research, business, and everyday decision-making. As scientific challenges become increasingly complex, the importance of calculus continues to grow. Whether modeling climate systems, developing medical technologies, exploring space, or advancing artificial intelligence, calculus provides the mathematical foundation needed to understand and solve difficult problems. It is far more than a required course; it is a powerful tool that enables innovation, discovery, and progress across all STEM fields. For this reason, calculus remains one of the most essential subjects for students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.