Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina State University

Research mentor: Cathy Yea Won Sung, PhD (Biology)
Research topic: Role of macrophages in ototoxic drug-induced hearing loss

Background: I grew up in the Raleigh area of North Carolina and stayed close to home to pick up my bachelor's degree in microbiology and minor in biotechnology.

I've always had an interest in the sciences, but as my educational career went on and I got to take more advanced classes, I quickly zeroed in on the biomedical sciences as a field that both captured my interest and seemed like a place to make a positive impact in people's lives. 

After attending ICARE, I hope to pursue my PhD in the biomedical sciences with a focus on immunology and cell and gene therapy in order to continue developing much needed treatments for rare diseases.  

My previous research experience in Dr. Ascencio-Ibáñez's lab at NCSU, my course improvement projects during my time as a lab technician at NCSU's BIT program, and my role as a Research Associate in industry have all given me a strong foundation in research skills that I intend to continue building on during my time here in Iowa. 

 In my free time, I enjoy backpacking, rowing, and wakeboarding.