Emory University
Postdoctoral Researcher

To continue making a difference for patients affected by mitochondrial disease, I accepted a postdoctoral researcher position at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. My research in Dr. Anupam Patgiri's group focuses on developing novel protein therapeutics for mitochondrial disease. 

There is currently no effective treatment or cure for mitochondrial disease. However, mitochondrial disease is not a monolith, and affected individuals can show a range of symptomatic presentations that can be treated in different ways. Research is critically important for developing these supportive therapies, especially those that can greatly improve a patient's quality and duration of life.

Some of the most meaningful experiences I have had as a scientist involved the mitochondrial disease community. This community encompasses individuals affected by the disease, as well as the clinicians, family and friends who care for and support them day-to-day. In my first year as a graduate student, I connected with the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), an advocacy group focused on supporting people diagnosed with mitochondrial disease. At a UMDF fundraiser event, I realized for the first time that all those long hours in the lab are not just about making a breakthrough for the next journal article or presentation, and they may never lead to a “cure." They can still bring hope to those seeking information about rare diseases that impact their lives and the lives of their patients or loved ones.

I am both excited and honored to contribute to a future where treatments for uncommon and underserved conditions like mitochondrial disease may be discovered, developed, and used in the clinic.

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) PhD (Spring 2024)

As a graduate student, I was involved in many research, teaching, science outreach and professional development activities, both in the rigorous training environment of UW-Madison and with the Pagliarini lab at Washington University in St. Louis. My thesis research centered on coenzyme Q biosynthesis and atypical fatty acid catabolism, with a focus on the protein structure and function of redox-active enzymes in these pathways. I was a Biotechnology Training Program trainee through the NIH as well as an NSF graduate research fellow. 

Biochemistry Capstone Instructor (Fall 2018 - Spring 2020) 

As a part of my curriculum in IPiB, I served as a teaching assistant (TA) for two semesters of the undergraduate biochemistry capstone laboratory course. I have also engaged in further teaching opportunities, such as designing and teaching a senior capstone seminar for undergraduate biochemistry majors at UW-Madison. My activities in this role include designing the a curriculum about the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial disease and dysfunction, giving in-class and in-lab lectures, and providing one-on-one course and career guidance to students.

Science Outreach

At UW, I volunteered for many outreach events, including Saturday Science at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery and elementary school science fairs in underserved communities around Madison. I also perform child, teen, and adult outreach through the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, a group that advocates for individuals with mitochondrial disease. Activities I've led in this capacity include participating in fundraiser walks and hosting patients and families for outreach events at the Pagliarini lab. 

Rare Disease Advocacy

After the Pagliarini lab's move to WashU, I found new opportunities to focus on my interest in rare disease. I have engaged in some outreach and shadowing activities with the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) to aid their work with rare disease patients who are still searching for their genetic diagnosis. In addition, I have served as the 5K race chair for UMDF's St. Louis Energy for Life Walk and 5K for 2022 and 2023. During this time, I decided to focus on clinician education in my future career; I have taken WUSTL's CITI GCP training and the NIH's course on the principles of clinical research to learn more about clinical research practices and am excited for my future career in this area.  

Auburn University
BS Biochemistry, BS Cellular and Molecular Biology (2017)

During my time at Auburn University, I participated in the Auburn University Honors College, completing an honors thesis and earning the distinction of University Honors Scholar. I was also involved with many on-campus organizations, including Residence Life as a Resident Assistant and as Vice President of the American Chemical Society campus chapter. I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2017 with a BS in Biochemistry and a BS in Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology. 

Undergraduate Research

My research projects with Dr. Holly Ellis's group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry focused on mechanisms of sulfur metabolism in bacterial systems. 

Undergraduate Teaching Experiences

I was the primary student instructor for multiple Chemistry I, Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II lab sections over the course of six consecutive semesters. I provided instruction and demonstrated techniques for students, answered questions and provided guidance during the lab session, and engaged with students outside of regular class times through office hours and one-on-one meetings.