Speakers, Workshop Facilitators, Moderators, and Panelists

Meghan Anzelc, PhD.

Bio: Meghan Anzelc, Ph.D. is an experienced executive in driving positive business impact through the use of data, artificial intelligence and technology. Previously Global Head of Data & Analytics at Spencer Stuart and Chief Analytics Officer at AXIS Capital, Dr. Anzelc is skilled at determining how existing and emerging technologies can be applied to business problems and providing jargon-free guidance to senior executives on technology and digital strategy and decision trade-offs. After receiving her PhD in experimental high-energy particle physics from Northwestern University, Dr. Anzelc went on to a decade-long career in the property/casualty insurance industry and was then recruited into Spencer Stuart, a >$1B leading executive search and leadership advisory firm, to build their data and analytics function from scratch.

Dr. Anzelc’s global experience in data and AI have made her uniquely qualified to shape strategy at businesses adapting to new and emerging AI capabilities ethically while managing risk appropriately. She has given voice to the capture and understanding of data and helped organizations unlock value from their data assets. Her skills in determining how existing and emerging technologies can be applied to business problems and her M&A strategy and due diligence experience have been an asset to companies experiencing transition and disruption. Her leadership has positively impacted multi-billion dollar books of business driving top and bottom line improvements at organizations from $1B to $25B and she serves as a strategic advisor to C-suite executives and boards of directors on AI, data, and digital transformation across strategy and operations.

Dr. Anzelc was awarded Diligent’s 2023 Compliance and Ethics Leader of the Modern Governance 100 and Outstanding Mentor by RevTech Labs in 2023. She serves on the Advisory Board of Athena Alliance, is an Advisor to FinTech startups through RevTech Labs and previously served on the board and as chair of the Nom/Gov Committee of the Chicago Literacy Alliance.

As a graduate student, Dr. Anzelc was chair of the American Physical Society’s Forum on Graduate Student Affairs and served as the student representative to the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics. She has been involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives since and was a recipient of the 2011 NALC Above-and-Beyond award for Travelers’ Women in Actuarial and Analytics organization which she co-founded and co-chaired. In 2022 Dr. Anzelc served as an Advisory Board member to the American Physical Society’s Advancing Graduate Leadership initiative. She holds a Master’s and PhD in Physics and Astronomy from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s in Physics from Loyola University Chicago.

Title: From Code to Corner Office: Resilience, Risk-Taking, and Rising Above

Floor Broekgaarden (Friday evening)

Bio: Floor Broekgaarden recently joined the Astronomy department of UC San Diego as an assistant Professor working on gravitational-wave paleontology, black holes, stellar evolution, and data science. Between 2023 and 2024, Floor was a Junior Fellow in the Simons Society of Fellows in New York at Columbia University and a research Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Floor received her PhD in Astrophysics in 2023 from Harvard University, a MSc. degree in Astronomy from the University of Amsterdam in 2018, and a Bachelor’s degree in ‘Mathematics’ as well as Physics” at the University of Amsterdam in 2017. Floor has written numerous resources for early-career scientists on topics from harassment support to applying for jobs. In her free time Floor enjoys (trail) running which helps her maintain a good work-life balance. Floor is originally from The Netherlands, and named one of her algorithms after her favorite Dutch cookie: “STROOPWAFEL”.

Title: Overcoming Hurdles: Navigating Uncertainties in Gravitational-Wave Paleontology and Academic Life

Abstract: Scientific discovery is a journey marked by countless challenges, and in this talk, I will explore two examples of such hurdles.
The first centers on the emerging field of Gravitational Wave Paleontology, where we attempt to unravel the life stories of massive stars by studying their remnants – black hole and neutron star mergers – through gravitational waves. However, we are limited by the so-called Uncertainty Challenge: current simulations are plagued by substantial uncertainties and overwhelming computational costs, making it difficult to extract meaningful insights about massive star evolution from gravitational wave observations. I will share how my research group is spearheading efforts to identify, quantify, and ultimately overcome these computational barriers.
The second part of my talk shifts focus from scientific uncertainties to uncertainties in the lives of scientists. The path through academia presents its own set of challenges, particularly for scientists from underrepresented backgrounds in physics and astronomy. I will discuss these obstacles and strategies for navigating them, drawing from personal experiences, scientific studies, and broader perspectives in our field.

Yilen Gómez Maqueo Chew (Sunday morning)

Bio: Dr. Yilen Gómez Maqueo Chew is an astronomer at the Instituto de Astronomía at UNAM, the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her expertise lies in the study of the fundamental properties of low-mass stars and their planetary systems via astronomical observations. She studied at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, in Monterrey, México where she graduated in 2004 with a double-diploma in Industrial Physics Engineering and a Masters in Energy and the Environmental Engineering from the École d’Ingénieurs EPF in Sceaux, France. She graduated in 2010 with a PhD in Physics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She was a postdoc at the University of Queen’s in Belfast, Northern Ireland and at the University of Warwick in England. Dr. Gómez Maqueo Chew is a researcher and professor at UNAM since 2014, where she is Project Coordinator for the SAINT-EX telescope and is a Investigadora Nacional Level 2 in the National Researcher System. She is committed to science communication and public appropriation of scientific knowledge. Throughout her career, she has worked relentlessly to make science a more equitable and just profession, where all people and their contributions are valued.

Title: Creating Your Own Way in Physics

Abstract: In this talk, I will walk through my own journey through physics. I will make emphasis on the barriers I faced, what I learned about systems of oppression and how I created ways of working in physics, and specifically in my sub-field of astronomy, that allowed me to continue in my career. My hope is that you leave this talk with some ideas of how to make your way in physics better for yourself and your communities.

Rachael L. Hachadorian Ph.D.

Bio: Rachael Hachadorian is currently a radiation oncology physicist at South Bay Radiation Oncology, and a voluntary Assistant Professor of Clinical Health Sciences at UC San Diego. She completed her Ph.D. at Dartmouth College in 2021, studying Cherenkov imaging during radiotherapy cancer treatment, and completed her medical physics residency with Harvard Medical School in 2024. Her current research explores low-grade toxicity mitigation in radiation treatment planning.

Emily Belli

Bio: Dr. Emily Belli is a research physicist in the Magnetic Fusion Energy group at General Atomics. She has a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University. Her research focuses on theoretical plasma physics, developing high performance computing codes and integrated modeling tools for studying plasma turbulence and energy transport for fusion as a practical and zero-carbon source of energy for the future.

Bri Hart, M.Ed.

Bio: Bri (she/her) is a Senior Program Manager for Diversity and Careers at the American Physical Society, where she is dedicated to empowering students through mentoring and professional development programs that support their growth and success. With a focus on creating inclusive opportunities, she strives to help students build confidence, navigate their career paths, and achieve their goals in STEM and beyond.

Arlette Baljon

Bio: Dr. Baljon is a computational soft matter physicist at SDSU. In collaboration with biologists, chemists, engineers, and mathematicians she studies the role of mucus in phage/bacteria interactions. Arlette Baljon and her husband raised three children, now all grown up.

Inès Montaño

Bio: Inès is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science at Northern Arizona University, AZ, USA and a core member of ¡MIRA!, the Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications. She joined NAU in 2017 after spending twelve years as a scientist with Sandia National Laboratories. She received the Diploma degree in physics and the Ph.D. degree in theoretical condensed matter physics from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. Her current research interests are focused around modeling and simulation of light-matter interactions in a range of quantum systems, and quantum information physics.

Dra. Lizbeth Angélica Castañeda Escobar

Bio: I studied Physics at the Veracruzana University, many years ago. I completed my Master’s degree in Optics from the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) and continued my specialization through a PhD in the same field at Optics. I worked in hybrid lens design and optical testing systems. Now, I enjoy working in optomechatronics.

Cynthia Swift

Bio: Cynthia (Cindy) Swift is a full-time physics professor and department chair at Santiago Canyon College, where she has served for 19 years. Prior to this, she taught AP Physics for 12 years at Irvine High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine, and her master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach.

Prof. Adam Burgasser

Bio: Dr. Adam Burgasser is Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCSD and an observational astrophysicist who studies the atmospheres of the coolest stars, brown dwarfs, and extrasolar planets. Dr. Burgasser also conducts research in astrophysics education and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and has earned several teaching and EDI awards as a professor. Dr. Burgasser earned his PhD in Physics at Caltech, has held faculty positions at MIT and UCSD, and was a Fulbright Scholar.

Samantha Bordy

Bio: Samantha is a physics teacher at Marlborough School in Los Angeles. She previously taught at multiple schools in San Diego and received her masters in mechanical engineering at UCSD.

Peter Foster

Bio: Peter is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California. His research is at the interface between the physics of living systems and soft matter, focusing on the non equilibrium physics of cytoskeletal machines.

Aravind Valluvan

Bio: Aravind Valluvan (they/them) is a graduate student in astronomy at UC San Diego. They earned their bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2023. Aravind is currently a member of the COSI Satellite Mission and is excited by all things space. They are equally passionate about improving equity and inclusion in the sciences and organizes the weekly Graduate Women in Physics Coffee Hour. They served as the UCSD graduate representative in CUWiP 2024 and are eager to foster a welcoming and fruitful CU*iP 2025 for all participants. When they are not in their lab, one can find them biking down Torrey Pines, reading philosophical texts, or admiring cityscapes.

Sarah Jiang

Bio: I am currently a first-year astronomy PhD student at UC San Diego. I obtained my B.S. in Physics from Georgetown University, after which I spent some time as a research intern at the Space Telescope Science Institute as well as in industry before starting graduate school. My main research interests lie in exoplanet detection and characterization, particularly the search for habitable, Earth-like exoplanets, and outside of science I am very passionate about increasing the diversity and accessibility of astronomy and creating opportunities for students from all backgrounds to become inspired by astronomy.

Vanessa Preisler

Bio: Dr. Vanessa Preisler is a professor and chair of the Physics Program at the University of La Verne (ULV). Dr. Preisler’s research includes magneto-optical experiments such as Faraday rotation and MOKE with the goal of involving undergraduate physics students. Dr. Preisler is also active in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion efforts in STEM at ULV.

Clarissa Do Ó

Bio: I am an NSF Graduate Fellow and San Diego Fellow pursuing a Physics PhD at UCSD under Prof Quinn Konopacky. I work on the direct imaging of exoplanets, participating in instrumentation efforts to detect and characterize the orbits and formation of directly imaged gas giants. Outside of the lab, I am interested in astronomy outreach, coffee and Star Wars.

Kelly Luo

Bio: Kelly Luo is a Gabilan Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California starting in 2023. Her research investigates the dynamics and effective couplings of quantum degrees of freedom such as electron spin, photons, and magnons in solid-state systems. Outside the lab, Kelly enjoys badminton, bike rides, wandering in nature, and spending time with her two kitties.

Afrah Azher Ezzeldine

Bio: I’m Afrah, a Physics graduate from UCI and currently a Data Analyst at TAE Technologies, where I work on plasma physics, fluid dynamics, and developing analytical tools. I’m passionate about making STEM more accessible and supportive for women and minorities. In my free time, I serve as a Teaching Assistant for CRANE, a virtual workshop that introduces underrepresented college students to plasma physics.

Elizabeth S. Grace

Bio: Dr. Elizabeth Grace is a High Energy Density Science Center Fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where she researches plasma physics, fusion science, and laser interactions with matter. She received her BA in Physics from Reed College and her PhD in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a recipient of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Fellowship, Springer Thesis Award, Amelio Award, Herbert P. Haley Research Award, and the Georgia Tech Presidential Fellowship.

Joan Dreiling

Bio: Joan Dreiling received her PhD in atomic physics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then held a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Institute of Standards in Technology in Gaithersburg, MD. She started at Quantinuum in 2018, and her current work there focuses on bringing the next-generation quantum computers into commercial operation.

Cami Collins

Bio: Dr. Cami Collins is a plasma physicist and Section Head in the Fusion Energy Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she is working to find a projectable solution to create and sustain a burning plasma needed for an economical fusion energy pilot plant. Cami received her B.S. (2007) in physics from Montana State University Bozeman and Ph.D. (2013) in plasma physics from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

Irena Dragojević, PhD, MBA

Bio: Dr. Dragojević is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego and a board-certified medical physicist. She pursued her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in physical chemistry and nuclear physics. Following her graduation, she served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Transitioning from her postdoctoral fellowship, she completed a medical physics residency at UCSD. Additionally, she recently earned an MBA from the UCSD Rady School of Business, concentrating on healthcare management.

Melissa Quinnan

Bio: Dr. Melissa Quinnan is a postdoctoral scholar in Prof. Javier Duarte’s research group at UC San Diego and a member of the CMS Collaboration at the CERN LHC working on topics at the intersection of machine learning (ML) and experimental high energy physics. She is particularly interested in ML for anomaly detection for detector trigger systems and analysis. Melissa is the head and founder of the physics postdoc association and a former Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow.

Lindsey Hands

Bio: I am a third-year PhD student at UC San Diego working Prof. Karin Sandstrom studying the interstellar medium of nearby galaxies. I did my undergrad at Mount Holyoke College, where I first got involved in research with Prof. Jason Young studying low surface brightness galaxies. I am passionate about science communication and building community and support pathways within academia!

Ananya Paul

Bio: I’m a PhD Candidate in Experimental Nuclear Physics at University of California, Riverside. My thesis is based on High Energy Proton-Proton Collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Lab. I am also a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Academia and work towards providing a safe space for gender minority students in my university.

Hannah Koziol

Bio: Hannah Koziol is a third year PhD student in the astronomy and astrophysics department at UCSD. She received her undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Connecticut with minors in mathematics and astrophysics. She currently studies dust and the ISM in nearby galaxies with Professor Karin Sandstrom and is passionate about making the field of physics accessible for everyone.