After graduating with a bachelor's degree in physics from UC Berkeley, I was looking
for two things: a meaningful graduate school experience in the field of space physics
as the next step in my career, and the perfect place to raise our growing family.
Combining those two things gave only one clear answer: UAF. My husband, a UAF alumni,
wholeheartedly agreed. We finally located a 1977 Chevy pickup truck we christened
Sheba, bought an old trailer, and packed up only what would fit. We drove to Alaska
with our 8-month-old baby, feeling happier with every mile. Best decision we ever
made. World-renowned for geophysical processes research with the global thought leaders
in space physics working as faculty, UAF was and remains an aspirational graduate
school destination. It wasn't until years afterward that I realized that coming to
UAF to study the aurora in a place where the aurora happens is similar in concept
to most graduate students here, regardless of their field of interest. Continue reading this week's Friday Focus.
Maddalena brings home silver for Team USA at Paris Olympics
