From rural roots to the stars.
Savaria Parrish - Jiveny Knight - Faith Simmons - Chloe Haramis - Ahmyah Hicks
Meet Savaria
Savaria Parrish is a first-generation college student and aspiring planetary scientist who is passionate about making science and opportunity accessible. She grew up in a rural town with limited resources and very few mentors to guide her. Much of what she knows today came from learning through experience, figuring out how to find internships, build a network, and apply for programs she once believed were out of reach.
Despite those challenges, Savaria has gone on to win national recognition, conduct research with leading scientists, and participate in conferences across the country. She sits as on the student council of the National Society of Black Physicists and has been recognized for academic excellence, public service, and her commitment to scientific outreach. Additionally, for nearly a year, she worked as a career advisor, helping students strengthen their resumes, craft standout applications, and navigate the internship and job search process with confidence.
Meet Jiveny
Jiveny Knight is an early-career Earth scientist focusing on some of the tiniest of life forms, bacteria! She is pursuing a degree in Earth Science with an emphasis in Paleobiology. Jiveny is working in the Early Life and Microbial Evolution lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she is studying the evolutionary history of giant bacteria. Jiveny is the first person in her family to pursue a degree in STEM. Graduating from high school during the pandemic and battling chronic illness throughout school has made Jiveny no stranger to setbacks. She is passionate about setting up students with the tools to succeed, no matter their circumstances.
Originally from Oakland, CA, Jiveny is now living down south in Carpinteria, where she enjoys long runs by the beach. She spends her evenings and weekends reading books, Earth Science-related or otherwise. Jiveny hopes to soak up all the sun before moving home and focusing on graduate school.
Meet Faith
Faith Simmons is a science communicator with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from East Tennessee State University. Her research is in astronomy, specifically polarization trends in massive stars and how stellar winds drive turbulence. She loves writing about science and mentoring students, and tutors introductory physics courses. She has held many roles in the Society of Physics Students, where she works to improve programs for undergraduate students studying STEM. She is also passionate about advocating for dark skies and scientific funding. Outside of academia, she performs aerial circus arts like trapeze and races dirt bikes!
Meet Chloe
Chloe Haramis is a recent graduate and first generation student from Arizona State University with a Bachelors in Astrophysics. She attended a local community college before transferring to ASU. During her undergrad she pursued research in stellar astrophysics, exoplanets, and astronomy education, as well as leading multiple student groups. Her current focus is to improve the undergraduate experience for astronomy and physics students through astronomy outreach/education, mentorship, tutoring, curriculum/program development, and working directly with networks and universities to advocate for change. Most of her current work is with the Access Network, and various groups at ASU, and also does independent work.
Chloe grew up as a first generation American in California, to immigrant parents from Greece and Canada. In her spare time she loves to bake, sew, paint, garden, stargaze, and hike. She loves to support students and focuses on making astronomy accessible to all. She looks forward to connecting with students and providing support.