What I Do I am currently a Ph.D. student at The University of Chicago studying Immunoengineering. My goal is to create new therapies to treat autoimmune diseases.
Why Engineering? I chose engineering because it is exciting! You are constantly facing new problems and each day is different in the challenges you face. Often, the problems you face can have meaningful impacts globally.
School Days I received my Bachelor's Degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering from The University of Alabama and am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at The University of Chicago in Molecular Engineering.
My Day At Work I am currently doing bench-top research which requires a good bit of planning for experimental design and then different assay techniques.
Best Part The gratifying feeling of solving a project problem. The problems we face are often very impactful and complex, working through such problems can be frustrating but once you break through it is really rewarding.
Proud Moments Thus far the proudest moment of my career is receiving 'Most Outstanding Student' my senior year of undergraduate study within my engineering department.
Challenges I have faced a good deal of self-doubt, especially moving into my graduate work. I came from a different background and experience level than my current colleagues and it was tough at first. Actively trusting in my ability has helped in this.
My Family I have three siblings and the most supportive parents. None of them are engineers, yet (two are younger than me), but all of my family is very encouraging! We are very close and spend a lot of time together, usually outdoors and active.
Dreams and Goals My short(er) term goals are to complete my program and move onto industry research. In the long term I would like to utilize my training to advance autoimmune related research.
Inspiration My mom is one of my biggest inspirations, she was diagnosed with cancer when I was in middle school and really sparked my passion for scientific discover.
Want to be an Engineer? Do not give up! I was told I was bad at math my whole middle school and high school career but ended up really thriving in my undergraduate environment. Grit is one of the most important qualities in my opinion. Engineers don't all fit into one box, having people who problem solve differently than you do is important!
Hobbies I have a dog that I love to take on runs and hikes. I spend a lot of time outdoors. When I get to travel I like to go to the mountains to ski! I recently have started rock climbing as well.