I'm Nova Travis, a senior at Edison Academy Magnet School, and ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by numbers. To me, it always felt like anything in life could be “calculated.” Whether it was solving a problem, making a decision, or understanding how things worked, there was always a formula just waiting to be discovered.

Along with my love for numbers, I’ve always been drawn to art and music composition. I may not be the greatest at either, but I find that art and numbers are surprisingly connected. In both, we recognize patterns, explore relationships, and unlock new meanings with different methods of interpretation. Physics and art, in my eyes, are two sides of the same coin—they both offer ways to understand and appreciate the world on a deeper level.

Oddly enough, the inspiration for my book A-LIGN didn’t come from another math lover, but from my older sister Harmony. She’s fascinated by science but absolutely hates the numbers and calculations that come with it. Her perspective got me thinking—you don’t have to be “good with numbers” to appreciate the insights that math and physics offer. That’s the heart of A-LIGN: showing how the laws of the universe can align with and contribute to anyone’s life, even if math isn’t your thing.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to see how far these ideas can take us. I believe that the same principles of physics and math that explain our world can also be used to shape our future. By harnessing the laws of the universe, I hope to contribute to new technologies that push the boundaries of what’s possible. I’m especially passionate about the potential of quantum and particle physics, and I want to join the pioneers of innovation who are leading the next wave of discovery. By pushing the boundaries of discovery, I hope to contribute to a world where new technology can change our lives in ways we’ve only dreamed of.