Savaria Parrish

I chose to study Planetary Science because of my interest in the evolution of worlds beyond our own.

I’m most passionate about atmospheric modeling within astronomy and planetary science. Atmospheres have a lot of influence on planets and their ability to sustain life. By bettering our atmospheric models, we can better improve our search for life.

I hope to attend graduate school and earn both a master’s and Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Sciences. I would then like to work as a research scientist at a museum, where I can do cutting cutting-edge research with public scientific outreach.

In 2024, I worked with the BDNYC group on brown dwarf atmosphere research and became the first undergraduate to present a seminar at Virginia Tech’s Space@VT Center. This work later earned me the AAS Chambliss Award.

This award is extremely impactful to me because it connects me with more students of color in astronomy. I believe that seeing people who look like me dream beyond the stars influences me to do the same.