Valerie is a graduate student at Central Washington University. She is modelling how large crystals in the Steens Basalts formed using a computer program called the Magma Chamber Simulator. She got her bachelor’s degree from Boise State University in Idaho where she studied crystallization depths of olivine from the Gorda Ridge. Her favorite activities include rock climbing, camping, hiking with her dog, and learning about volcanoes! Valerie aspires to one day work at a volcano observatory so she can help keep people safe and learn more about predicting eruptions!