My name is Ruthie Vogel, and I'm a rising Junior at the University of Maryland. I’m majoring in Physics and minoring in both Sustainability and International Development/Conflict Management. I’ve loved physics since I was in middle school, but after my first experience working in an experimental physics lab, I decided I wanted to be more involved with science policy than hard research. Specifically, I want to work in Environmental Policy, a subject I’ve learned is intensely globalized. I’ve done a lot of physics outreach work with high school students, and am currently working with the Physics department at UMD to create a potential science policy track of the major. I’m really looking forward to working at the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology this summer and being an active party of the science policy process!

Outside of the time I spend in the physics building or other academics, I sing in a UMD acappella group called Kol Sasson, write poetry, bake food to share with friends, hike, and ask my family to send pictures of my dog. Above all, my favorite thing to do is have good conversations with people I care about. I’m so excited to meet and learn from everyone this summer!