Cora Constantinescu

Biography

I was born in Toronto, Canada, and moved to Seattle when I was young. That’s where I first became fascinated with how the world works and what lies beyond it. That curiosity eventually took me south to Santa Barbara, where I earned my B.S. in Physics at UC Santa Barbara, and later to the Bay Area, where I’m now pursuing my Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Science at UC Berkeley. My research focuses on planetary interiors: studying how materials behave under extremely high pressures and what that reveals about the formation and evolution of worlds like Earth.

My curiosity about the universe also drives my passion for teaching. I love helping students see how the concepts they learn in Physics and Calculus describe the world around us. Tutoring gives me the chance to inspire students to find their own spark of curiosity and confidence in STEM. At AJ, my goal is to create a supportive learning environment that encourages students to ask questions, think critically, and to really understand the “why” behind each step.

When I’m not studying or teaching, I love surfing along the California coast, playing guitar, baking new recipes, and tending to my growing collection of houseplants!