Wamda Elzubair

I’ve been absolutely enamored by astronomy and planetary science since first grade, and that became my “calling” for as long as I can remember! A science fair project on the twin paradox launched me into physics, so combining my two passions was natural.

Uncovering and trying to understand how the universe works and our place in it not only piques my curiosity but also gives me a sort of comfort; sharing those moments and building community.

I plan to pursue a Ph.D., possibly studying globular clusters and the origins of the universe or particle physics.

This summer, I worked in a lab commissioning a tabletop solid-state driven linear accelerator for electron microscopy. It was a lot of hands-on work and improvisation and really introduced me to how “real” labs work.

As a first-gen student from a low-income background, I’ve suffered from years of imposter syndrome. Being awarded this scholarship has helped dispel that and validate my position in the space of higher education and physics, generally.