Ever since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by space. TED talks, space conferences and telescope nights furthered my passion for the unknown around our planet. When I was 15, I went to my first space talk about the chemistry and physics of black holes, which drove me to pursue a degree in Astrobiology and Biogeosciences. With this degree, I aspire to work with government and civilian space agencies in order to keep space exploration efficient and safe for both humans and the environments we interact with. The TEAM-UP Together Scholarship allows me to further my education at a world-renowned university where I will continue to make connections in the industry I am passionate about.

Hello, my name is Amir Moore, and I am a junior studying physics at Hampton University. I'm currently conducting research with optics and laser materials at Hampton under the guidance of several academics and professionals. As you can imagine, being the only male physics major at HU has been a very challenging challenge, but the TEAM-UP Scholarship will not only help me personally finish my academic career, but it will also help me support my fellow students at HU finish their physics classes because I also tutor in my spare time. I intend to pursue my doctorate in astrophysics in the future and to join and be active in the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP). I picked physics because I have a strong curiosity for the world outside of us, and I intend to significantly advance the field of physics through additional opportunities, research, and internships. I am eternally thankful to TEAM-UP for having a profound impact on me in more ways than I can possibly articulate and for giving me the inspiration, optimism, and financial assistance to continue my work at HU.

I attend the University of Colorado, Boulder pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics. I am very passionate about physics. I love math and connecting it with theory and real work applications. I love learning about how and why the world works the way it does. It is truly fascinating and inspiring to learn about processes that we can’t always see or feel but are intrinsic to the physical world. I am currently working in two research groups, one in high-energy physics researching a new method for investigating rare light meson decays with the CMS collaboration at CERN. The other is in nuclear theory investigating two-body decays with machine learning and neural networks. In both I have been able to learn and develop computational skills, which has been at times challenging, but in the end extremely rewarding. I love solving problems that take time, careful thought, and consideration to find the answer. I will be graduating in the spring of 2023 and the TEAM-UP Together scholarship has alleviated much of my financial stress with finishing my degree. I am also currently applying to graduate school, and the application fees can be very expensive. This scholarship will allow me to dream big and apply to all the schools I want to without financial constraints. Additionally, this scholarship has provided me with the mental and emotional support that I have lacked as an African-American woman in physics. This scholarship has shown me that I am a part of a larger community that acknowledges and supports who I am and what I am trying to achieve -- a community that invests in me and my future. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the honor of this award. My thanks, truly, cannot be overstated.

For as long as I can remember I have driven everyone insane with my intensely inquisitive nature. My family knew I was destined to be a scientist, so, when I was 5 my parents got me a 12-dollar, 180-degree constellation light projector, I remember laying down and looking into the stars and feeling safe. That was my introduction to a field I would grow to love, astrophysics. This summer it came full circle. I had the opportunity to research under Adam Miller at Northwestern and was able to come up with an improved throughput model of transmission for ZTF. Being awarded this scholarship will not only continue to facilitate my academic career, but also allow me to break society's limitations on Black women in STEM and encourage diversity in a highly underrepresented field.

“Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think.”
- Werner Heisenberg.

Astronomy has given me clarity and tranquility in its infinite options and dynamic behavior. With each planet being unique, I am motivated to think about worlds where it may rain glass or there are oceans of molten lava. I am currently studying terrestrial worlds in the habitable zone of their red dwarf hosts, looking at how orbital changes influence the presence of water on their surface or in their atmosphere. Receiving the TU-T Scholarship has given me the courage and resources to continue toward my goal of making a positive change in astronomy.

From a young age, I became enamored with how humans were able to solve complex problems through science. In high school, I expressed this love by taking more science courses than necessary. As I took courses in physics, chemistry, and calculus, I became passionate about nuclear and particle physics. In the future, I hope to pursue a PhD in nuclear engineering with the goal to develop nuclear fusion reactors. Despite the struggles I have encountered, I have stayed determined to achieve my dream. The TEAM-UP together scholarship has provided me with the resources to continue my journey towards this goal.

My name is Courtney Reed, and I’m a junior studying physics and astronomy at Amherst College. As a child, I recall being fascinated by the endless night sky, and it was this desire to uncover the unknown that hooked me into physics and astronomy. Research-wise, I’m currently using cosmological simulations to study the theoretical formation of very dim and extended low-mass galaxies. It means so much to me that this scholarship will continue to support my fellow Black future physicists and astronomers and break down some of the financial barriers put in place to keep us from pursuing higher education.

My name is Derod Deal, and I am an undergraduate astrophysics major at the University of Florida. Choosing astrophysics as my major goes back to when I was a kid. I have always loved building weather stations and using scientific instruments to understand more about the world and universe. That has always fascinated me. Even now, I use radio telescopes to give us more insight into how star-formation processes take place using astrophysical masers. The TEAM-UP Together Scholarship allows me to study further what I love and show the world what we can do with astrophysics.

My name is Destiny Howell and I am honored to be the recipient of the TEAM-UP Scholarship. I am a senior at Hunter College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics with a present GPA of 3.3. I am on Hunter College Academic Honors called the Jenny Hunter Scholar due to having a 3.5 GPA from Beacon High School. I receive this scholarship every semester for this academic achievement. I have found interest in astronomy ever since I read a book called The Universe by Seymour Simon. That is where my love for science began. While attending school, I have been involved with AstroCom, AstroCom is an astrophysics program that gives minority students from throughout the CUNY school system the opportunity to read scientific research papers, visit labs, attend lectures, and run experiments. Because of AstroCom, I was able to gain research experiences at the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute. Over the past two summers, I worked with scientists on research about gravitational waves and binary black holes. Currently, my goal is to graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s in physics and then attend an excellent Ph.D tracking program for astrophysics. Once I earn a Ph.D, I hope to work in the space industry. The TEAM-UP Scholarships means so much to me because I am able to attend Hunter College and I am so much closer to reaching my goals.

I have always been fascinated with space and how things work. Even back when I was a kid I always felt a sense of wonder for space. That fascination has led me to become a physics major with plans to become an astrophysicist. I am currently doing work for Virginia Union University looking at gain studies and I’m also vice president of our physics club. This scholarship will help me tremendously in taking the next steps to achieve my goals and is an extreme honor and blessing for me.

Studying the universe is a powerful experience because it challenges our understanding of what we understand to be normal and weird. While scary and fascinating all at once the feeling of finding something new about the universe is energizing for me. Currently I do research with a supportive research group at the American Museum of Natural History where I study objects that could pass within our solar system within 15 million years. This scholarship allows me to complete my studies at Columbia. I'm excited to see where I go next. A fun fact about me is I enjoy fencing!

I chose to pursue a physics degree because I have always wanted to know “How does the universe work?”. I gained a lot of my inspiration from watching Neil deGrasse Tyson, and funnily enough, the show Big Bang Theory. A research project that I’m currently working on is the development and handling of a muon detector, which can be implemented to find crevices within structures such as pyramids. Personally, receiving the TEAM-UP scholarship has really urged me to develop my knowledge in physics and pursue a graduate degree in the future.

I’ve always been captivated by the dark blanket of stars above us. I’ve struggled with college in the past, unable to find a major that spoke to me, but now I’ve found my place at Arizona State and the Astronomical & Planetary Sciences program. An interesting fact about me is that I consider myself a rookie astrophotographer. I have pictures of the Moon during an eclipse and with not-so-little Jupiter hanging close by. I plan on using this scholarship to further my education, earn my degree, and gather the tools I need to take my astrophotography to the next level.

The reason I chose to work in astronomy and physics is because I have a passion for it, and it has allowed me to put myself in a position for a greater opportunity in life. It has completely transformed my life and put a light at the end of the tunnel for my future. Something interesting about my current work is that I do two research projects using machine learning for HETDEX and JWST to enhance the detection of high redshift sources. The TEAM-UP Together scholarship means so much to me because it has allowed me to focus on my academic career and remove so much pressure on me and my family.

Hi, my name is Jazmine Riggins. I am a third year physics major, material science and engineering minor from Covington, Georgia. From a young age I've always been interested in science; specifically astronomy and physics. Space ideologies and theories, as well as the ball of mass we call home (Earth) will always fascinate me. My plan is to obtain a bachelor's degree in physics and then further my education in astrophysics. I am currently doing research in a lab focusing on optics and laser spectroscopy at Hampton University. As the first member of my family to attend college and the only female junior majoring in physics at my university, the TEAM-UP scholarship will have a significant positive financial impact on my future.

I chose to study astrophysics because I was interested in both astronomy and physics. I was amazed that we are able to apply so many laws of physics that are applicable here on Earth to space and wanted to learn more. The TEAM-UP Scholarship will provide me with the opportunity to continue to study what I’m interested in pursuing as a career. I hope to earn my PhD in physics and give back to young Black physicists who are hoping to pursue physics as a career just like me. The TEAM-UP scholarship gets me one step closer to accomplishing this goal and serving as both representation and a helping hand for young Black physicists.

I have been fascinated with the universe and its mysteries for as long as I can remember. I love learning new things and understanding how the world works around me. Once I realized I could make this a career, I jumped at the opportunity to study astrophysics for my undergraduate degree. I have since gained experience researching supermassive black holes and Active Galactic Nuclei, and I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in physics after undergrad. An interesting fact about me is that I would also like to become an astronaut one day! Words cannot express how thankful I am for the TEAM-UP Together Scholarship, as it will support me in continuing to pursue my passion for astrophysics.

I have always had a fascination with the universe and how it came to be. It's pretty wild to think about. I am currently researching under Dr. Bovill (TCU, Astrophysics) to understand star formation within the earliest fossils of the first galaxies. In our research, we look for the mass cutoff required for a galaxy to accrete gas reionization and look at the star formations. In my free time, I enjoy reading novels and watching every possible Marvel series/movie. By receiving this scholarship, I have a huge relief off my shoulders and can focus and pursue my bachelor's degree stress-free.

I chose to study physics to have a basic understanding of the world around me. Something interesting about me is that I investigated dye-sensitized solar cells using raspberry juice dye this past summer. To me, the TU-T scholarship is an assurance that African American physicists and astronomers belong in the physics and STEM community.

Krystal Scott is a sophomore physics major with a material science & engineering minor from Inglewood, CA. On campus she is a physics department ambassador who has stayed on the dean's list for her tenure at Hampton.  As an ambassador she has been instrumental in recruiting new physics students at events like High School Day and Honors Day. She is the current president of SPS (the Society of Physics Students) and The .1% two organizations focused on bringing women to the forefront of physics in America but specifically at Hampton. Due to both her academic success and her community engagement Krystal has recently been awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the SPS national committee to support her through her academics without which she would not have been able to continue at Hampton University. Krystal is passionate about bringing her knowledge and expertise to the next generation of scientists. She wants to create a platform that allows underprivileged youth to learn about different STEM fields at a younger age so that they can have the opportunity to pursue broader paths of learning that may not be immediately available to them. She has been recognized by two state assembly persons for her work with underprivileged youth in the South LA area with the coding and STEM programs she runs in the summer with USC and Steamcoders. She has volunteered for the nonprofit organization Black Girls Code since she was 15 in her efforts to expose more black and brown young women to all the STEM field has to offer. She presented research on non-stellarator divertors at the Division of Plasma Physics Conference. She has been invited to dinners with Nobel Prize winners. She presented a collection of physics-based artwork at the Physics Congress conference and was selected to be presented at their national office.

Hello! My name is Lailyn Borum and I am a junior studying astrophysics at the University of Michigan. I was at first in between majoring in Astrophysics or Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, but after my first research experience and astrophysics class, I decided that Astrophysics was the major for me. I have always been a fan of all things space and physics, and the fact that I have the opportunity to study and research something I thought was out of reach for me is still blowing my mind. I am really grateful for the TEAM-UP Together scholarship as it puts me closer to my goal of becoming an astrophysicist and being a pillar of support to help others like me do the same. Currently, I'm doing research involving low-metallicity stars and I'm also working as an Astronomy Docent at the Detroit Observatory. Other things I like to do are reading, crocheting, drawing, and volleyball.

As a nontraditional Brooklyn College undergraduate, becoming a TEAM-UP Together Scholar provides the education and professional support I need, and would not have had otherwise, on my journey toward earning a physics Ph.D. I chose to major in physics after learning we can calculate atomic and molecular energies using Schrödinger’s equation. It is fascinating that when these atoms are larger than hydrogen, it is impossible to solve them exactly, and we need to make mathematical approximations to study these systems. This fascination led to my current research in which I use density functional theory to study the electronic structure of superatomic crystals.

Hello! My name is Layla Smith, a fellow recipient of the 2022 TEAM-UP Together Scholarship.

I have always been interested in the sciences, specifically astronomy. I decided to major in physics as I would be exposed to various types of science careers. Along with science, I enjoy trying new things such as traveling, trying new foods, going to museums, etc.

I am incredibly grateful and honored to have received this award. It will provide the opportunity for me to be more focused on my studies and research projects under STROBE-PEAQS (Norfolk State University Chapter). My general knowledge will increase as well as my research experiences as an undergraduate.

Thank you, Simons Foundation, and Simons Foundation International!

My name is Mark Ddamulira, and I chose physics because it helps us better understand our world, thereby deriving multidisciplinary applications from employing physics principles.

Like Einstein, I am a violinist and the concertmaster for my university's orchestra. What's interesting about a current research project is that we are always learning something new since it's computational.

The TEAM-UP Together scholarship gives me strength in knowing that there' are supportive people invested in my future, and it gives me the inspiration to do and be the best that I can while also challenging me to be intentional about supporting others and giving back.

My name is Nathan Oyeka and I’m a junior physics and computer science double major at Bowdoin College. My parents are from Nigeria, and I’m the youngest of four. Being a first-generation low-income student and the only black physics major at Bowdoin have all represented their own challenges in unique ways, however I am constantly finding novel ways to engage with my classmates, professors, and the Bowdoin community at large. I don't know when another black physics major will be at Bowdoin, but I can hope that their experience might be made a little better after I leave Bowdoin.

Nayda Anjou is a third-year student at Michigan State University majoring in Astrophysics with a minor in Spanish. Her interest in astronomy was sparked when she attended a field trip to the local planetarium as an elementary age child. The experience would stay with her throughout her life and would eventually lead to her becoming a presenter at that same planetarium. Anjou also holds a student outreach position at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and has served as an executive board member for the Astronomy Club since her freshman year. She plans on using the TEAM-UP Together scholarship to assist her in affording the materials and resources needed to be a successful student

Nijai Dixon is a fourth-year student at Clark Atlanta University and a participant in the dual degree engineering program majoring in civil engineering and physics. At Clark Atlanta University, she serves as vice president of both the Physics Club and NSBE organization. She has an interest in learning more about water scarcity and water quality issues and has experience doing grassroots organizing work to bring clean water to her home state of New Jersey. This previous experience has fueled her to continue her efforts for her campus and community in the metro-Atlanta area through environmental leadership initiatives. Nijai's goal is to work in sustainable design and architecture and alternative renewable energy to provide better housing for lower income and minority communities. She also has an interest in environmental law and public policy. Nijai is an advocate working towards creating a cleaner and safer environment globally through policy modification and community empowerment.

My name is Omokhuwele Umoru, a junior physics major at Texas Southern University, I chose my major because I am very interested in understanding the physical concepts that govern the world around us and give us a deeper understanding of our universe. So many great physicists and their immense scientific contributions have inspired me in all ramifications. I currently work as an undergraduate research assistant in my department in a computational physics project where we get to utilize computer vision machine learning libraries to optimize image segmentation and object detections with the end goal of the project to create real-time augmented reality assisted physics experiments. The TU-T scholarship means a lot to me as it lightens my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on learning core concepts in physics, build my graduate school application portfolio, and pursue my Ph.D. in physics in the near future. This generosity has inspired me, and it is my desire to one day help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

I fell in love with physics and astronomy when I was six years old, and I have never looked back since. I have worked on research related to galaxies, variables stars, and soft matter. I also love music and enjoy playing the violin and piano when I can. The TEAM-UP Together scholarship provides a sense of belief and support for those who are Black, nontraditional, struggling, and who don’t fit into the narrative in this field. This translates to gratitude, understanding, and the confidence of knowing that there are people out there who believe in us more than we know.

The reason why I chose this degree was because math and science were always my strongest subjects. I always loved real world applications and physics had the most in common with that. I'm not currently working or researching anything, but I was for the last few years with my professor Dr. K. I was on the back end helping with the data analysis part. I was fortunate enough to go visit the lab my junior year and it was a great experience. The TEAM-UP scholarship has meant the world to me. There aren't many organizations that are trying to give out scholarships in STEM, especially in physics. To this organization I am forever grateful for the financial support you have given me.