As a woman in physics, Dr. Gabrielle Allen hopes to bring her understanding of the challenges that come with being a first generation student when she teaches in the fall.
Not only is Allen joining the Department of Mathematics and Statistics as a tenured professor, but she is also the partner of the new UWYO president, Dr. Seidel.
Recalling some of her challenges as a first generation physics student and empathizing with students at UW, Allen said “I’d like to help them [and] be a good role model and be a good mentor in those sectors.”
“I think it’s really important to keep connected to the students because that’s how you really understand what the, what is happening at the university,” said Allen. “I think the most valuable part of being at university is watching students, mature and go on in their careers; It’s why we’re here.”
Allen also explains that she is not only a professor at the University of Wyoming, but she is also the partner of the president as well.
“It should give me insight into different things that are happening here and through events or meeting people, to you know to to maybe redefine how I can use my role to, to benefit the university and the community, and you know, particularly the students,” said Allen.
Allen said that her main research field has been computation and data science, and she hopes to contribute her experience to what the university is already doing.
“I want to see what is already happening and where I could make a small contribution in an area where there is a need,” said Allen.
Dr. Allen is employed at the University of Illinois as the associate dean for research at the College of Education and a professor in the Departments of Astronomy, Computer Science, and Curriculum and Instruction. She is also a Senior Research Assistant at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.
“I will stay connected to University of Illinois and see through the student projects, the projects the PhD students are working on, and also my commitment to these federal grants that we have,” said Allen.
Allen also said that though she herself is a little shy, she hopes students and faculty alike will reach out to her just to say hello and talk.
“I just love going around and walking through different buildings and sort of seeing people work in their own environment,” said Allen. “I think it’s something that the platform of being connected to the President is going to be helpful in that respect.”
