Hi everyone! I am an MD-PhD candidate currently in my graduate school years in Dr. Sam Faggs lab. Our lab focuses on cell fate decisions and transcriptional regulation, and how to apply these basic sciences to regenerative medicine. My research is primarily focused on determining the interaction between a long noncoding RNA and a specific RNA binding protein within the human heart during development and disease. I approach this research from multiple different angles, ranging from direct human proteomic and transcriptomic data down to sub-cellular localization of specific RNAs. This project may lead to a deeper understanding of human heart development and the intricate interplay of noncoding RNAs and critical RNA binding proteins.
My interest in research started a long time ago when my mom took me to interactive science museums, encouraging my curiosity and desire to learn how all things work. This interest stayed with me throughout my school years leading me to undergraduate university at Michigan State University where I first co-led the international Genetically Engineered Machines team in 2017 there, then joined a lab focused on how fatty acid biosynthesis impacts cardiac development.
Currently I have multiple ‘biggest’ goals. One of which is simply to continue my research and publish a paper on it, and of course, in doing so, discover something incredible. My other goals are farther out and include getting into my choice residency (UTMB Emergency Medicine/Aerospace medicine) and following that to run an independently funded lab while practicing medicine, ensuring that the next generation of astronauts can safely get to space and perform long duration space travel.
When I’m not in the lab you’ll probably find me in the gym, hanging out with friends, reading, or travelling.