Undergraduate Institution: Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa

Research mentor: Sanjana Dayal, PhD (Department of Internal Medicine)
Research topic: Studying the mechanisms of thrombosis that underlies risk factors such as age, diabetes, COVID-19 and Cancer

Background: Born and raised in Coachella, California, my educational journey led me to Briar Cliff University. In 2022, I earned my bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. My interest in cancer research was sparked during a personal battle with blood clotting issues that have persisted for three years and continue to this day. Doctors suspected cancer might be the cause, leading to numerous visits to cancer centers. These experiences exposed me to the fear and uncertainty of a potential cancer diagnosis. But it was within the walls of those cancer centers that I encountered amazing, beautiful individuals, cancer patients whose stories resilience, and their journeys that left an indelible mark on my heart. It was movements like those that made me realize that I want to pursue cancer research. To this day I carry their stories, their strength, and their beautiful smiles and this is what keeps me pushing through in my research. In the future, my ambition is to pursue medical school. My career goal is to become a vascular surgeon which will allow me to gain an opportunity to make a significant impact on patients' lives. I like to spend most of my free time going on walks with my dog and taking naps together.