I grew up in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, a town about an hour northwest of Philadelphia, where I spent much of my childhood playing soccer and softball. As I got older, my list of activities expanded to include playing the saxophone, juggling club, and art club. Aside from those interests, science has been an interest of mine for as long as I can remember. Despite changing my career goals often as I grew up, I always knew that I would major in Biology when I went to college. I graduated from Dickinson College with my BS in Biology in 2004. While at Dickinson, I had the opportunity to participate in an ongoing research project. This research experience really helped me to realize that I wanted to head to graduate school to pursue a career in research. Upon graduating from Dickinson, I began working in and Industrial Research and Development Chemistry Laboratory in Scranton, PA. This opportunity allowed me to experience a whole new kind of research and allowed me to learn so much about industry and about myself.

Aside from my interest in science, my other interests include reading, photography, gardening, and art. Art is my outlet when I get stressed or when I just need a break. As a senior at Dickinson, I took wheel work ceramics as an elective and found a truly rewarding and stress-relieving hobby.