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Emma credits Duquesne with giving her the freedom to explore. Encouraged to step outside her original plan, she pursued research opportunities that ultimately reshaped her future.

That turning point came during a summer internship at West Virginia University, where she was introduced to experimental plasma physics for the first time. Tasked with building an electron beam to excite plasma, Emma faced challenges that tested her persistence. For much of the internship, her device didn鈥檛 work鈥攂ut instead of stepping back, she leaned in. 

鈥淚 challenged myself to understand every part of the system,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I finally found the issue and fixed it, I saw the most beautiful blue glow鈥攖he first plasma I ever created.鈥�

That moment was more than a success鈥攊t was clarity. Emma realized that physics wasn鈥檛 just a subject, but a puzzle she was driven to solve.

At Duquesne, that curiosity was nurtured in a close-knit department where faculty invested in students as individuals. Through mentorship and support, Emma not only built a strong academic foundation but also grew in confidence鈥攐vercoming challenges like imposter syndrome and learning to navigate ADHD.

鈥淚鈥檝e become a more mature scientist and person,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 truly feel prepared for what鈥檚 next.鈥�

Mentorship and collaboration played a defining role in Emma鈥檚 journey. Under the guidance of Ted Corcovilos, she found both support and independence.

鈥淒r. Corcovilos gives his students space to explore their passions. When I wanted to build a plasma device for the advanced lab, he went out of his way to help me make it happen.鈥�

Emma also expanded her experience through research at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, contributing to the FLARE project, which studies magnetic reconnection鈥攁 process critical to understanding both fusion energy and astrophysical phenomena.

Working alongside scientists and graduate students from across institutions reinforced an important lesson: science is inherently collaborative. The relationships she built continue to support her today, from graduate school advice to late-night questions about plasma physics.

Back on campus, Emma鈥檚 impact will be lasting. In her final semester, she developed a plasma setup for Duquesne鈥檚 advanced lab course鈥攃reating new opportunities for future students to explore the field.

鈥淚鈥檓 so excited for Duquesne students to experience plasma,鈥� she said.

Duquesne鈥檚 hands-on curriculum gave Emma a strong technical foundation early on. By her sophomore year, she had already developed skills in electronics, optics, and programming鈥攑reparing her to thrive in competitive research environments.

鈥淲hen I started my first internship, I felt ready,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 overwhelmed by the independence that comes with research.鈥�

That preparation carried her through multiple high-level research experiences and positioned her for the next step: pursuing a Ph.D. in plasma physics. After being accepted into several top programs, Emma will continue her journey at Cornell University this fall.

As she reflects on her time at Duquesne, Emma is most proud of the relationships she鈥檚 built and the moments that defined her experience.

鈥淚鈥檓 leaving with countless cherished memories,鈥� she said.

Looking forward, she hopes to make an impact not only through research in astrophysical plasmas, but also through education and outreach鈥攂ringing plasma physics into classrooms and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

鈥淧lasma has incredible applications鈥攆rom fusion energy to space science,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want more people to see that鈥攁nd to get excited about it.鈥�