Meet Seven Exceptional Master’s Students Shaping the Future: Fall 2024 Cohort

The Fall 2024 cohort at the University of Arizona is composed of innovative thinkers and trailblazers. We’re excited to introduce seven outstanding students seeking master’s degrees who are ready to leave their mark on their fields! A common theme emerges in their stories—each student is driven by a passion for making a meaningful impact, whether it's through scientific discovery, creative expression, or contributing to a more sustainable future.

 

Sophie Anderson (she/her) is in her first and only year of the Master of Science in Marketing (MSM) program in the Eller College of Management. Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Sophie also attended the University of Arizona for her undergraduate studies in Management Information Systems, which she completed in only three years. 

Sophie initially enrolled in the Management Information Systems Accelerated Master’s Program, but shifted to Marketing to broaden her skillset. Her interest in Marketing was sparked after she secured a consulting position that requires four years of post-secondary education. As Sophie explains, being successful in the consulting industry demands a lot of creativity and strategic thinking– skills she hopes to deepen during her time in the MSM program. 

Sophie is pleased with the overall dynamic of the MSM program and the people she has met in her classes, noting how graduate school “raises the bar” in terms of student caliber and narrows the focus to those truly committed to earning another degree. This motivated peer group has made her experience all the more inspiring.

Looking past graduation, Sophie envisions staying in management consulting, where she aims to develop a diverse skill set and gain exposure to a variety of industries. “I’m open to staying in the field long-term if there's a particular niche I end up loving, but otherwise, I’m interested in exploring more marketing-related opportunities like brand management,” Sophie shares. 

 

Daniel Collazo (he/him) is embarking on his Master of Science in Genetics at the University of Arizona as part of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs offered by the Graduate College. An Arizona native, Daniel attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate studies in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Microbiology and worked for nearly a year in the biotech industry before entering graduate school.            

Daniel’s passion for biology began with a love for the outdoors, plants, and birds. His interest deepened thanks to exceptional science teachers throughout his education, particularly his high school AP Biology teacher, whose inspiring teaching style led many students, including Daniel, to pursue careers in life sciences. These mentors taught him to view science as a continuous process rather than a fixed perspective.

For Daniel, science offers a way to make a meaningful impact on the world without directly dealing with people, as he humorously notes. He is driven by the goal of making life better— whether by improving food production, conserving resources, or helping address the growing challenges of feeding a growing population. His ultimate goal? To contribute to solutions that will help prevent resource conflicts over essentials like food, water, and land.      

Further down the road, Daniel sees a future that might involve working in industry —preferably somewhere cooler than Arizona. He is open to either for-profit or non-profit sectors, with a desire to engage with the public. In his longer-term dreams, Daniel jokes about living on a lunar or Martian colony with his family and pushing the boundaries of human exploration. 

 

Aaron Nuanez (he/him) is in his first year of pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Coming from a family with ties to the U of A, Aaron was drawn to attend U of A for his undergraduate studies for its reputation for strong science programs, its proximity to home, and the scholarship opportunities it offered. His academic journey began with dual enrollment in high school, which allowed him to complete his undergraduate degree ahead of schedule and transition smoothly into graduate studies.

Originally focused on Chemistry in his undergraduate career, Aaron shifted his path after considering broader issues like pollution, contamination, and climate change. This led him to Environmental Science, where he felt he could make a real impact by addressing global environmental challenges. In graduate school, his research under Dr. Joseph Hoover focuses on arsenic contamination of groundwater in the Colorado Plateau—a project that aligns with his goal of creating a healthier world for future generations.

Aaron is excited about the collaborative atmosphere in his program. He enjoys meeting new people and learning about their research, as it helps him view his own work through different lenses and explore new opportunities. The potential for interdisciplinary insights is something Aaron values as he continues to refine his approach to tackling water contamination issues.

After completing his master’s degree, Aaron envisions a career in either industry or government. He’s interested in roles such as environmental consulting in the private sector or working with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he can contribute to long-term solutions for environmental sustainability.

 

Fawaz Ghannam (he/him) is in his first year post-undergrad in the Accelerated Master’s Program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona. Originally from New Jersey, Fawaz went to middle and high school in Arizona and chose to attend the U of A for his undergraduate degree, primarily because it was close to home, many of his high school peers planned to attend, and he received one of the top merit scholarships. 

            Fawaz’s decision to choose engineering was heavily influenced by his advanced performance and interest in mathematics in high school, as well as his desire to tackle complex STEM problems hands-on. Mechanical engineering fit these parameters, and offers diverse career possibilities, motivating him to pursue a graduate degree in hopes of securing a higher paying job post-graduation. 

            Roughly a month into his program, Fawaz is happy to see many familiar faces in his classes–many of his undergraduate peers also chose to pursue a master’s degree through the Accelerated Master’s Program. While the technical knowledge he will gain in the program will be on a new, in-depth level, he will be able to hold on to meaningful connections that he made in his four years of undergraduate studies. 

            Right now, the future Fawaz envisions focuses on innovation. He hopes to land a job at a reputable company that challenges him to think of unique solutions to the world’s problems, and allows him to continue learning new things every day. 

 

Parker Allen (he/him) is in his first year of the Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting program at the University of Arizona’s College of Fine Arts School of Music. He earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Wyoming, where he was also a member of the Western Thunder Marching Band. Before returning to school, Parker worked as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for a local high school marching band, gaining hands-on teaching experience. His decision to attend U of A was influenced by time spent in Tucson during Wyoming's participation in the Barstool Arizona Bowl in 2019 and 2022.

As a percussionist, Parker’s journey to wind band conducting is unique. He explains that most percussionists aren’t typically drawn to the melodic lines of wind instruments, but his passion for mallet percussion, which resembles a piano keyboard, sparked his interest in conducting. Playing mallet instruments also requires techniques similar to conducting, which helped him develop a fascination with the art of directing music. During rehearsals, when percussion isn’t always involved, Parker found himself captivated by the conductor’s movements, further fueling his desire to pursue this path.

Now fully immersed in graduate life, Parker is thriving in the demanding environment of the School of Music. As a graduate teaching assistant, he teaches classes, conducts ensembles, organizes scores and resources for the Band Department, and serves on the Professional Staff of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band. Though the workload is intense, he loves the opportunity to conduct and perform with the talented ensembles at the U of A, which is central to his passion for music.

Parker’s ultimate goal is to become the director of a top-tier university band, a path his Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting program is preparing him for. Through his experiences at UArizona, he is gaining the skills and insights needed to lead a successful collegiate wind ensemble.

            

Reed Coffey (they/them) is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Geosciences at the University of Arizona. Originally from Washington, Reed has called Tucson home for the past 11 years. They completed their undergraduate studies at U of A in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and now work in the same lab in the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research where they were involved as an undergraduate. Their current project involves creating a climate reconstruction from bald-cypress trees in the Atlantic Gulf Basin using tree samples known as "tree cookies," cut from logs dredged for furniture making.

Reed’s path to graduate school was not entirely traditional. Before enrolling at the U of A, they worked as a massage therapist. Their interest in the healing arts eventually evolved into a passion for environmental preservation, which Reed sees as a natural extension of their desire to help others. Though their journey has had twists and turns, they feel grounded and fulfilled by their current academic and research pursuits.

What excites Reed most about their graduate program is the opportunity to take a more active role in shaping their research. They enjoy the autonomy and creativity that come with seeing the whole picture and designing their own project, as well as mentoring undergraduate research assistants in the Tree-Ring lab. This mentorship has become an integral part of their experience, allowing them to pass on knowledge and guide others in the field.

Looking ahead, Reed is committed to contributing to research that helps preserve the planet. Through their work in climate reconstruction, they aim to shed light on past environmental conditions, which can inform how we address current and future climate challenges. For Reed, their research is more than an academic pursuit—it’s a meaningful way to help protect the world for future generations.

 

Sol Davis (they/them) is a first-year master’s student in English Literature at the University of Arizona, a two-year program. Originally from New Jersey and the Midwest, Sol completed their undergraduate studies at the U of A, double majoring in Creative Writing and Linguistics. They were drawn to stay for their master’s degree by the convenience of the location and the strong faculty in the English department, where they felt a deep connection. Sol also appreciated the prestige of the Creative Writing program, which first attracted them to the university.

Sol’s journey to graduate school began with a desire to continue learning after their experience in the English Honors program as an undergrad. Through writing a thesis and working closely with a thesis advisor, Sol realized they wanted to maintain the level of intellectual engagement found in upper-division courses. Their passion for writing, coupled with the opportunity to be part of an academic community, solidified their decision to pursue a master’s degree. They are particularly excited about the possibility of teaching at the college level, feeling inspired by the need to help young students develop strong writing skills.

As someone deeply fascinated by language, Sol has been writing for as long as they can remember. Their interest in linguistics, the formal study of language, opened new doors to understanding how people communicate. Sol’s experience as a line editor also revealed a common pattern—many people never learn essential technical writing skills. Sol is eager to address this gap, believing that teaching critical analysis and writing techniques can expand students’ ways of thinking. Their long-standing curiosity about how language works continues to motivate their academic pursuits.

In the future, Sol hopes to work in publishing or become a published author themselves. While they recognize the challenges of breaking into the publishing industry, they are determined to build connections and gain experience. Sol has also considered pursuing a PhD, possibly in the UK or New Zealand, where they can explore their interest in ancient poetry from Wales and England. No matter where their journey leads, Sol remains committed to deepening their understanding of literature and language.

 

The Fall 2024 graduate cohort represents the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and problem-solvers, each bringing their unique perspectives to their respective fields. From addressing environmental challenges to pushing the boundaries of the arts and scientific research, these students exemplify the University of Arizona's commitment to fostering innovation and excellence. As they continue to grow and refine their skills, there is no doubt that they will contribute profoundly to their communities and beyond, ensuring a bright and impactful future.