Valeria is a PhD student in mechanical engineering at Princeton University. Her passion for mechanical engineering began in high school after taking physics and calculus. As someone who loved to build things and create tangible products, Valeria liked the idea of being able to have people use the things that she made. She loved the fact that that was the product of her work that other people would hold. 

Valeria was first introduced to research in high school by her physics teacher who was a plasma physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics labs. Now at Princeton University, Valeria carried over her research from Rutgers University in which she 

Here is some of the advice she offered me during my interview with her:

1. Don't wait for opportunities to fall into your lap, look for them.

2. Grades matter. Having bad grades can close the door to opportunities. 

3. Do not let school and your grades define you. Make time for yourself and keep your relationships with the people close to you going.