While working at a Rapid City salon and contemplating a career change, Adrian began building robots in her spare time. That's when a friend suggested she make it full time. And it clicked. The best fit for her future was in her own backyard.
A first-generation college student, Adrian is now working towards an accelerated master's in robotics, while putting theory into practice. As a member of the Moon Rockers team, she designs and builds a mining robot that traverses simulated Martian terrain for NASA's annual competition.
It isn't just her background that's unique. Adrian's professors say every circuit she's designed is too. "It's not only aesthetically pleasing, it's a way of designing that saves space and is functional."
That blend of analytics and art informs everything she does. A trick hula hooper (next step: fire) and IT fellow who makes circuit board collages, Adrian's found a group of women who get her. "It's really refreshing to meet other females into science, so you don't have to hold back. I geek out about Jurassic Park, and it's acceptable. There's a big comradery about WiSE."
But beyond finding others, Adrian's found herself.
"I remember being in high school, needing help with algebra, and getting brushed off, and then looking around and seeing it's just a bunch of dudes doing math. So I've learned to speak louder, to speak more."
She wants to give young women that power of voice, a power she hopes will propel her to new heights. Five years from now, she's set her sights on SpaceX and bringing female voices in STEM to a deafening roar.
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