I am an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Pomona College, the 2023-2025 IDEA Scholar (Flatiron Institute), and the recipient of the 2023 Vera Rubin Distinguished Professorship (UC Santa Cruz). My field of expertise is computational astrophysics, and I work on various aspects of galaxy evolution and structure formation. I recently solved the puzzle behind the existence of dark matter deficient galaxies, which gathered significant media attention.

I also enjoy exploring the intersections of astronomy, pedagogy, mentoring and art. At the national level, I served as the chair of the AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy.  On the eve of the Trump presidency I lead a Town Hall on Racism in Astronomy at the 229th AAS Meeting, attended by over 2000 astronomers. I was also the director of the Harvard Aztlán Institute, a summer research program aimed to uplift minoritized undergraduate students in astronomy.

In recent years, I have focused my advocacy efforts to the way we teach and mentor the next generation. This includes work at my own institution and the delivery of (paid) workshops nationwide. In 2023 I coined the term astromimicry as a way to allow the universe to inspire us to create more inclusive communities.