Physics
Mechanics, energy, momentum, waves, electricity, and the habits of quantitative reasoning.
Teaching & Mentoring
Clarity builds confidence. Curiosity keeps it moving.
Science becomes learnable when ideas are structured, connected to evidence, and met with the patience every student deserves.
Teaching philosophy
Understanding before memorizing.
Silvana’s teaching starts from a simple premise: students can engage with difficult science when they understand the story behind the equations.
As a physics lecturer at Wharton County Junior College, she teaches Physics I and II to first- and second-year college students. Her background includes astronomy laboratory instruction, astrophysical research methods, tutoring, and intensive STEM academic programs.
Her classrooms emphasize physical intuition, careful problem solving, visual reasoning, and the confidence to ask better questions.
Teaching areas
From foundations to research practice.
Astronomy & astrophysics
From observational foundations to galaxies, cosmology, and the physics of the Universe.
Scientific computing
Python workflows, data analysis, visualization, modeling, Linux, and reproducible research.
Research preparation
Reading papers, asking tractable questions, presenting evidence, academic writing, and graduate-school readiness.
Mentoring
Opening paths into STEM.
Support grounded in practical experience navigating research, graduate education, migration, language, and belonging.
Vanguard STEM Unbound
Mentored undergraduate students in 2023 and 2025 through a program centered on women and nonbinary people of color in STEM.
Inclusive graduate mentoring
Served as a primary mentor for first-year graduate students through Texas A&M’s mentoring and advising community.
Research projects
Guided students in astronomy instrumentation and galaxy research through AggieSTaR, Warrior Scholar, and collaborative programs.