About Me

Major: Biomedical Engineering (Honors)

Minor: Classical Studies, Mathematics

I have chosen to pursue biomedical engineering because I am interested in not only how the human body and its systems function, but also how to apply that knowledge to practical applications that will enhance the lives of others. I am currently interested in women's health, nuclear imaging, and reducing health disparities.

Teamwork

As a team member, I have developed great interpersonal skills, such as communication and empathy, and leadership skills. I believe that being a good team member is to be a good listener and provide feedback that moves the whole team forward, along with showing consideration for others and bringing a positive attitude. Great team members not only alternate between leading and following, but they also support every member of the team and keep the team's well-being in mind.

My Experiences and Skills

Past Experiences

Prior to transferring to IUPUI, I was a student at the University of West Florida  (UWF) and an active duty member in the Air Force. I served on active duty for 6 years, doing a variety of tasks that allowed me to develop skills in leadership, communication, multi-tasking, and problem-solving, all in rapidly evolving, time-sensitive situations. 

At UWF, I took part in a research experience that collected coquina clams from Pensacola Beach and added to a multi-year effort to sequence their genome. I also was mentored by two great faculty in the School of Nursing who assisted me in designing and running a research project. The project focused on assessing benefits and barriers to self-monitoring prenatal blood pressure in low income communities, and I was able to collaborate with community partners and received grant funding. This project reinforced my passion for learning more about social determinants of health, prenatal outcomes, and identifying barriers in the community. Throughout this time, I presented two posters at the UWF Research Symposium. This was a great experience, and I hope to continue learning from and collaborating with medical professionals throughout my engineering career. This project also taught me so much about the research process, how to be flexible and continuously re-evaluate methods and procedures (especially during COVID), and how important it is to be able to receive feedback and collaborate with others.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, I was a research intern in the Center for Musculoskeletal Health at the Indiana University School of Medicine, working in Dr. Sankar's lab. My responsibilities included, but were not limited to: handling mice, performing mechanical testing of bones, using various machines to image mice and bones for analysis, and using a microscope to analyze the internal structures of bones. Here, I learned about ethical animal research and how a variety of factors may affect bone growth and overall bone mass.

I have developed a wide array of skills over the years - such as communication and ability to think clearly in stressful environments - and I am always working on growing further. In all of my future workplace environments, my past experiences and skills will make be a better team member and professional. I have found that I love designing and refining new procedures, and that I thrive in a job where I am consistently challenged in a variety of different ways. I truly enjoy areas where I can problem-solve solutions to gaps in healthcare and medical research. 

Current Experiences

Since entering the biomedical engineering program in the fall of 2022, I learned how to analyze static mechanical systems and basic circuits. I have also learned to use computer aided design (CAD), C language, and MATLAB for engineering coursework.