Research Assistant, Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Fellowship, UW Fellow for Academic Excellence, and UW Graduate School Top Scholar
PhD in Pathobiology
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Oakland, Calif., then moved to Boston, Mass., when I was eleven. I became interested in public health in high school when I took a global affairs class, but I didn't discover my love of science until college. I had incredible teachers throughout my undergraduate experience who gave me confidence and a sense of belonging in STEM. I loved participating in student research and was encouraged by mentors to pursue a career in research. Outside of research, I love to cook, spend time outdoors, read, and knit.
Why did you decide to attend the UW for graduate school?
The UW and its affiliate institutes have incredible resources, empowering research that can happen nowhere else in the world. I have found the commitment to studying diseases that disproportionately impact low-income and marginalized communities inspiring. It was important to me to find a program that views science and health research through the lens of public health and asks research questions that advance biomedical research in the direction of equity. The UW also prioritizes student well-being, knowing that supported, healthy students will do the best research.
What are your research interests and career goals?
I hope to study host-microbe relationships and mucosal immunology. I am especially interested in female genital tract and gut biology, home to two fascinating yet vastly distinct microbiotas. I am open to many different career paths, but I hope to pursue research that advances women's health.
Did your award(s) influence your decision to attend the UW?
My ARCS Scholarship informed my decision to pursue the Pathobiology Graduate Program over other UW programs, but I knew I wanted to attend the UW.
When you aren't studying, where is your favorite place to hangout in Seattle?
In the summer, any outdoor cafe or bar! In the winter, I love going to movie theaters for $5 movie nights.