Alexandra Mannings is a first year PhD student at University of California - Santa Cruz, studying Astronomy and Astrophysics. She received her B.S. in Physics and B.A. in Dance from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She has set numerous works which have been featured in shows on The University of Alabama campus, as well as adjudicated at the American College Dance Association’s regional meeting. Alexandra was able to engage in dance research as an Arts Research Fellow with Creative Campus, and had the privilege of directing the Dance Alabama Film Festival. Her work has also been shown in the Frame x Frame Film Festival, Black Warrior Film Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Alabama Dance Festival New Works concert. She enjoys teaching, experimenting with new dance styles, and taking long walks.