COL Vargas joined the VMI faculty in 1996. She was the first woman tenured and promoted to full professor in the department. She established VMI’s first laser research laboratory. She became Department Head and was awarded the Cameron Professorship in Physics and Astronomy in 2021. She enjoys teaching Introductory Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Modern Physics, Optics, and Optics Laboratory. She also teaches a problem-solving course for cadets preparing to enter the Navy Nuclear Program. She enjoys working with cadets in independent study and summer research. Her research began in laser spectroscopy, investigating energy transfer in garnets and crystals. In 2014, she received a grant from the Center for Innovative Technologies to launch a free-space optical communication project using an ultrashort pulse laser. Working with several cadets, she successfully established a telecommunications link capable of transmitting signals over one kilometer under various weather conditions. In recognition of this work, she received the Innovation in Higher Education Award from the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council. She later expanded her laser telecommunications research to underwater communication systems. In 2023 and 2024, she received grants to investigate cybersecurity risks in 3D printing and wearable devices. In 2025, she began pursuing research on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. COL Vargas is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring cadets, fostering both their academic and professional development.