Previous Institutions: University of Texas at Austin
What are you studying: Ph.D in Bioengineering
Pronouns: she/her/hers
For me, life outside of Rice is just as important as what happens in the lab. My family, friends, and dog are a big part of my life, and I really value having a sense of balance — quiet time to myself, walks in parks, and exploring new places and people. I think it’s important to find a space where you feel comfortable and able to be yourself, and I’ve thankfully found that at Rice.
I’m currently studying bioengineering in a wearable biosensors lab, where I work on sweat-based immune monitoring. I came into this from a neuroscience background in undergrad and design work after graduation, which led me to want to combine design and systems-level thinking about health and the body.
When I was deciding where to go, what ultimately made me choose Rice was meeting someone in LAGSA before I had made my decision and realizing I could find my community here. Since then, I’ve felt that Rice really does create opportunities to connect and build the kind of experience that feels right for you. I wanted to be an ambassador because I think people should get to hear about the many different ways you can experience Rice — and decide whether it feels like it could be home for you too.
Fun Fact:
I once sang alongside Lady Gaga and five former U.S. presidents.
Favorite thing about Rice:
There’s always something new to experience and new people to meet. Anytime I feel like doing something different, there’s a Rice event for it — from meditation sessions to art exhibits or even a zoo trip.
Favorite thing about Houston:
The mix of cultures and energy — there’s always a new coffee shop to try, a museum to wander through, or a park to spend the afternoon in.
Why did you decide to go to grad school?
After working outside of science for a while, I realized I really missed the constant learning and the excitement of working on questions without clear answers. Science was the one thing that always gave me that feeling, which is what led me back to grad school.