About Ms. Tharayil
Ms. Tharayil was born in India, and at the age of seven, she and her family moved to Canada. She lived there, in a suburb near Toronto, for about six years before moving to California at the age thirteen.
In 2008, Ms. Tharayil completed her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with Summa Cum Laude Honors at Azusa Pacific University. Thereafter, she attended Cal Poly Pomona University to obtain her teaching credentials and her Master's in Education degree.
While in college, Ms. Tharayil developed a keen interest in astronomy. As a result, Ms. Tharayil became involved in multiple research programs affiliated with NASA. She was a three-time participant in NASA's Spaceward Bound program, which allowed her to assist NASA scientists as they conducted field research studying soil crusts in the Mojave Desert. Most recently, Ms. Tharayil completed an internship with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) over the summer (2012), through the STAR (Stem Teacher and Researcher) program. She worked with the Biotechnology and Planetary Protection group at JPL, studying the ability of certain bacteria to survive extreme conditions.
In the picture to the right, she is seen with a life-sized model of NASA-JPL's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) aka Curiosity, while at JPL. Curiosity made its historic landing on Aug. 5th, 2012, despite all odds!
Ms. Tharayil's interests include: astronomy, biology, reading, and basketball. She is an avid fan of the NBA's Phoenix Suns. (GO SUNS!)
In 2008, Ms. Tharayil completed her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with Summa Cum Laude Honors at Azusa Pacific University. Thereafter, she attended Cal Poly Pomona University to obtain her teaching credentials and her Master's in Education degree.
While in college, Ms. Tharayil developed a keen interest in astronomy. As a result, Ms. Tharayil became involved in multiple research programs affiliated with NASA. She was a three-time participant in NASA's Spaceward Bound program, which allowed her to assist NASA scientists as they conducted field research studying soil crusts in the Mojave Desert. Most recently, Ms. Tharayil completed an internship with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) over the summer (2012), through the STAR (Stem Teacher and Researcher) program. She worked with the Biotechnology and Planetary Protection group at JPL, studying the ability of certain bacteria to survive extreme conditions.
In the picture to the right, she is seen with a life-sized model of NASA-JPL's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) aka Curiosity, while at JPL. Curiosity made its historic landing on Aug. 5th, 2012, despite all odds!
Ms. Tharayil's interests include: astronomy, biology, reading, and basketball. She is an avid fan of the NBA's Phoenix Suns. (GO SUNS!)
Contact Ms. Tharayil
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:00-4:00pm
Grade 7 classroom (Saint Paula Montal classroom)
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:00-4:00pm
Grade 7 classroom (Saint Paula Montal classroom)