College of Sciences Alumna of the Year: Valerie Tu

Planetary geologist Valerie Tu brought her UNLV training to NASA’s Curiosity rover mission, contributing to research on Mars. Today, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, she helps open those same kinds of opportunities to UNLV students by creating research internships and faculty partnerships, helping prepare them for aerospace projects such as Artemis II.

What does being selected as the 2026 College of Sciences honoree mean to you?

UNLV shaped so much of who I am and knowing that my contributions have made a meaningful impact on my alma mater is overwhelming in the best possible way. The university gave me the chance to turn the curiosity I had as a child into a real career in space science. 

Now, being able to give back by creating opportunities for today’s students makes this award feel like more than a personal accomplishment. It’s a reflection of the community that supported me when I was just getting started, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and help create those same opportunities for others.

What was the defining moment during your time at UNLV that you realized planetary geology was your true calling?

During my first geology course, Geology 101. I was in class, learning about basic geologic processes, and for the first time, I was around people who could answer the questions about mountains, landscapes, and space that I had been curious about since I was a kid.

Before UNLV, I worked in jewelry sales, where I would happily share mineralogy facts with customers who probably just wanted to buy a necklace. I knew I was interested in rocks and minerals, but I hadn’t considered where that interest could take me. Geology 101 was the first time I saw a real connection between that curiosity and something I could build a career around. From there, I became interested in planetary science and eventually found my way toward planetary exploration.

You work with images sent directly from the surface of Mars. How would you describe your day-to-day work studying the Red Planet’s landscapes to a non-scientist?

Studying Mars is an ever-evolving adventure where no two days look the same. Waking up to fresh images transmitted directly from the rover's cameras is easily one of the best parts of my job, and I am constantly humbled by the fact that I get to see landscapes no human eye has ever witnessed before. As part of the Curiosity rover science team, we analyze these images, decide what rock targets the rover should photograph or sample, and interpret the mineralogy of the Martian crust.

Beyond Mars, my work at NASA Johnson Space Center has expanded to examine other planetary bodies like Venus, the moon, asteroid Bennu, and various meteorites. A massive portion of my day is spent examining unusual features in the terrain and piecing together mineral trends to figure out what past water and climate environments were like billions of years ago. Essentially, my job is to unravel the story of another world, one rock, one image, and one mystery at a time.

You’ve built a direct internship pipeline between UNLV and NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Why has mentoring UNLV students become such an important goal?

I would not be where I am today without the guidance, encouragement, and generosity of so many people, including my UNLV advisor, Libby Hausrath and the McNair Scholars Program team. Because so many individuals opened doors for me when I was a student balancing multiple jobs and raising a family, I feel naturally compelled to pay it forward.. UNLV consistently produces exceptional, world-class talent, and I want to ensure our students have direct access to the experiences that set them up for extraordinary careers.

Initially, I focused on creating opportunities for geoscience majors, but I’ve since expanded those efforts across engineering, physics, biology, and other STEM disciplines at UNLV. Working at NASA has shown me that complex planetary missions require brilliant minds from every scientific background. Nevada’s greatest resource isn’t just what’s in the ground; it’s the incredible students graduating from UNLV. Broadening that pipeline ensures that our Rebel community continues to showcase its talent on an international stage.

What advice would you give to current UNLV students who come from modest backgrounds and dream of working in science or at NASA? 

Get out of your own way and don't hold yourself back. If you dream of working in science or reaching an institution like NASA, pursue it wholeheartedly and without hesitation.

I come from a very modest background and financed my entire education while working multiple jobs, raising a family, and navigating the intense demands of earning two degrees. It wasn't easy, but learning to push through those immense challenges ultimately became my greatest strength.

Don't underestimate how far perseverance, endless curiosity, and a willingness to work through difficult moments will take you. Some of my most formative experiences at UNLV were the times I struggled, because they taught me resilience, how to trust my instincts, and how to navigate scientific uncertainty.

Your career path doesn't have to be perfectly linear or pristine; it just has to keep moving forward. Embrace the journey, trust in your preparation at UNLV, and never let where you started limit where you can go.