From slides to the stars to the physics classroom

My journey to physics began with Samantha Carter, the unstoppable astrophysicist and colonel in the scifi show Stargate, who embodied everything I admired in a capable, intelligent woman who was respected by her peers. Looking back now, that journey has been a sometimes winding, sometimes agonizing, and often very rewarding adventure of learning not only physics but also about myself, my goals, and how I can embody the change I want to see in the world. In this talk, I will discuss my path to academia, the lessons I have learned along the way, and the challenges of working in a field that is slow to change and sometimes loath to reflect on itself. As the world around us gets smaller and smaller and society adjusts to new social, political, and technological realities, it is increasingly crucial that the physics community, and, perhaps as importantly, the physics classroom adapt to the needs of a new generation of scientists. Here, I hope to convey some of my insights around the dual role of an academic as both a scientist and an educator tasked with mentoring young professionals that will define the journey of the field as a whole moving in the future.