Elsa B. Vazquez

Elsa_ProfilePhoto

Elsa graduated in May 2022 from UC Merced after transferring from Oxnard Community College and spending some time at UC Santa Cruz. As an undergraduate, her research focused on characterizing the two-dimensional potential energy surfaces of Ni-doped MoS2. Her work continues under the Cottrell Postbacc Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. Through varying approaches in her studies, she tries to understand what methodology is needed to expose the relevant properties of 2D doped materials. She is interested in pedagogy, motivated by DEI work, and hopes to become a physics professor where she can mentor students.

 

Education

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

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