Scripps Student Spotlight: Victoria Auerbach

Victoria Auerbach is a fifth-year PhD candidate studying geophysics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Auerbach is originally from Henderson, Nev., and received her bachelor's degree in geophysics and applied mathematics at the University of Nevada, Reno. At Scripps Oceanography, she is advised by professor Dave Stegman and researches the thermal evolution of terrestrial planets through numerical modeling, specifically looking at the possibility of a long-lived ‘Basal Magma Ocean’ on Earth and Venus. Auerbach is a recipient of the Scripps Regents fellowship and received a Teaching Assistant Award from the SIO Department for serving as a teaching assistant for SIO 103: Introduction to Geophysics.

explorations now (en): Why did you choose to attend Scripps?

Victoria Auerbach (VA): My open house visit truly solidified my decision to attend Scripps for graduate school. The faculty and students were all welcoming, kind and knowledgeable, and I was so clearly able to see myself working here. I also appreciated the many opportunities for exploring a variety of research interests. The location is always a great bonus too.

en: What are you researching at Scripps?

VA: My research aims to understand the thermal evolution of terrestrial planets, specifically Earth and Venus, through numerical modeling. In particular, I look at the possibility of a long-lived ‘Basal Magma Ocean,’ a liquid layer of the lowermost mantle that may have existed for billions of years post-planetary formation. Development of these models provides insight into present-day interior and surface features of Earth and Venus and how they evolved into these states through their respective planetary histories.

en: How did you become interested in science and your field of study?

VA: There are many specific moments that were pivotal in leading me to the path I am on today. One of the first that inspired my interest in studying geophysics originated from a high school summer camp. I was advised by a high school counselor during my freshman year to attend a week-long engineering summer program at the University of Nevada, Reno, the university I later attended for my undergraduate studies. While there, I spent a week learning about many different subdisciplines of engineering through hands-on activities, field trips and visits to labs. Though this experience showed me that I was more interested in science than engineering, it also opened my eyes to the vast number of different fields of study that I was able to explore. This was an excellent jumping off point from which I was soon able to discover the field of geophysics, and eventually my particular interests within this extensive field.

en: What’s life like as a Scripps student? Describe a typical day.

VA: Most of my days are spent in front of my laptop, plugging away at my code, creating new models and plots, reading papers and working through equations or problems. I often like to set up time to work alongside other graduate students, forming writing or working groups to provide one another with additional support and motivation. During quarters in which I am working as a teaching assistant, I attend lectures or hold labs and office hours, where I enjoy working with students and answering questions. I also spend breaks walking around outside the office or having lunch at Caroline’s Seaside Cafe to enjoy the spectacular view.

en: What’s the most exciting thing about your work (in the field or in the lab)?

VA: Honestly, one of the most exciting parts of my work occurs when I am able to get a new algorithm or newly implemented segment of code to work properly. It can be tough to properly develop, implement and debug code, and the moment where your solution finally works as intended can feel so rewarding. I was also able to attend a conference in Paris, France, and it was so exciting to travel outside of the country (for the first time!) and share my work with fellow researchers.

en: Are there any role models or mentors who have helped you along the way?

VA: There are so many academic role models who have guided me throughout my time leading up to and in graduate school. In particular, my undergraduate mentor, Dr. Wendy Calvin, was a huge inspiration. Not only did she help steer me into the world of planetary science, but she also pushed me to attend my first conference, led me through multiple years of undergraduate research and generally served as an incredible role model in academia. I additionally have many role models at Scripps that continually inspire me, including my current advisor, many faculty members, committee members and fellow graduate students.

en: What are some of the challenges you face as a student?

VA: Imposter syndrome is a common challenge amongst graduate students, and I am no exception. I often find myself believing that my work is not progressing fast enough, it is not significant enough, or my contributions are not as advanced as I would like, especially in comparison to my peers. It can be tough to pull myself away from these negative thoughts, though I find that working alongside others, discussing them out loud, and seeing that I am not alone in being hard on myself can help pull me out of these negative bubbles.

en: What are your plans post-Scripps?

VA: While my future is a bit uncertain at the moment, I would love to remain in academia, with a particular focus on teaching. I have always been passionate about education and continued learning, and it would be incredible to be able to develop curriculum, provide mentorship to students and serve as an educator in a classroom setting.