Previous Institution: Baylor University

Pronouns: she/her

I am a (rising) 3rd semester Master of Science in Bioscience and Health Policy Student in the Professional Science Masters Association at Rice University. Prior to enrolling at Rice, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology (Premedical Tract) from Baylor University in 2020.

My background includes being a Neurology and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) researcher under Dr. Eseosa Ighodaro M.D., PhD, since 2021, where I coauthored publications on MedPage Today and twice through McGraw Hill focusing on the systemic implications of racial biases in medical education and healthcare practices. In addition, at Hennepin County Medical Center, a level 1 trauma hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I interned with the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, Dr. Allyson Brotherson, M.D. since 2015, and also worked as an Emergency Department/Internal Medicine Scribe since 2022. Moreover, I spent a summer interning at Johns Hopkins Affiliate, Hospital Punta Pacifica in Panama City, Panama, refining my medical Spanish skills and building my medical competencies in the Emergency Department. Currently, I am a summer intern at the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to my professional work experience in the healthcare industry, I began volunteering with my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in multiple philanthropic activities, such as co-leading the Youth Leadership Institute Committee since 2021. Moreover, in the fall of 2020, I started a K-12 tutoring service with a concentration in mathematics, biology, and chemistry.

At Rice, I have been afforded leadership roles such as the Vice President for the National Professional Science Masters Association (RUNPSMA), member of the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA), and Teaching Assistant (TA) for advanced behavioral and cellular/molecular neuroscience courses. Additionally, I was awarded the Professional Science Masters Corporate Scholarship in January 2024 by the Professional Science Masters Board of Directors. I enjoy running, Pilates, drawing, traveling, and cooking in my free time!

Why I decided to go to grad school:

I decided to go to graduate school because I was confident that the rigorous curriculum at Rice would prepare me for the future demands of medical school. Given the outstanding reputation in the scientific field, I was confident that Rice's educators would cultivate me into a well-rounded, multidisciplinary, altruistic scientist. Lastly, Rice's collection of interdisciplinary thought leaders is powerful, and the immense opportunities to network with them would sharpen my capabilities and aptitude with forward-thinking, innovative research practices.

Fun fact about me:

I starred in one of the Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) Emmy Award winning show “SciGirls” in 2010 and I am trained classical pianist!

Favorite thing about Rice:

I love all the trees, the foliage reminds me of the forests in Minnesota!

Favorite thing about Houston:

I love the diversity of the food and the variety of fresh produce you can get at the farmer’s market!