Elsa graduated from UC Merced in May 2022, following her transfer from Oxnard Community College and her time at UC Santa Cruz. As an undergraduate, her research centered on characterizing two-dimensional potential energy surfaces of Ni-doped MoS₂. She continued this work for a year after graduating with support from the Cottrell Postbacc Award by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. Using density-functional theory and varying constraints on structural optimization, she aims to uncover the approaches best suited for understanding the key properties of 2D doped materials. Most recently, her work focuses on methods for calculating properties of excited states in open-shell systems. Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, she aspires to mentor and support future generations of students as a physics professor.

Education

Ph.D. Physics - University of California, Merced - currently

B.S. Physics - University of California, Merced - 2022

Transfer - University of Caliornia, Santa Cruz - 2020

A.S. Physics - Oxnard College - 2019

Research 

Cottrell Postbaccalaureate, UC Merced 2022-2023

Merced nAnomaterials Center for Energy and Sensing Fellow, UC Merced 2022

Awards & Honors

NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar, 2019

Academic Excellence Award, Oxnard College 2019