From rural roots to the stars.
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 awards, 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. Separately, she has served as a peer mentor for Virginia Tech’s Career and Professional Development course, where she guides students through academic planning, skill-building, and goal setting.
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!