Meet Keilah Davis, NSF Graduate Research Fellow

 

Name: Keilah Davis

Hometown: Durham, NC

Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina State University

Undergraduate Degree: BS, Physics

Year in graduate school: Third year

Research Advisor: Dr. Catherine Deibel

Research Topic:
My research is in experimental nuclear astrophysics and the title of my proposed research was “Indirect Reaction Rate Measurements for X-ray Burst Nucleosynthesis.” Our group investigates nuclear reactions to gain insights about explosive stellar environments.

Honors & Awards: BD Fellow (2019-2020), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (2021 - present)

Plans after doctorate: I plan to continue my research career as a professor or national lab scientist.

Acknowledgment: My experience as a PhD student has reinforced the importance of surrounding myself with supportive people. Without them, I wouldn’t be here as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, in graduate school, or even in physics at all. I’m so grateful.

Advice for future STEM students: You are capable. And if you don’t believe that yet, listen to the people who do.