Melissa joined the PLC in August 2024. She began her academic career as an adult student, transitioning from her financial career to science. Melissa received her B.S. in Physics from Edgewood College in 2021 and her M.S. from UW-Milwaukee in 2024. Her thesis research focused on using geomagnetic paleointensity to improve the correlation of lava flows. From a young age, she has been a multifaceted student with interests in various subjects, ranging from biology and neuroscience to anthropology to astrophysics. Outside of UW-Madison, you can find her disc golfing, storm spotting, fossil hunting, traveling, and hiking. The image shown features her discovering a dinosaur footprint on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.