I have always had an insatiable curiosity for the sciences — something that was heightened by watching my sister deal with a myriad of health issues. Seeing what she experienced motivated my interest to help people dealing with chronic illnesses and inspired me to pursue a four-year biomedical sciences program in high school.

I was attracted to Purdue for its many opportunities that match my interests and values, such as strong academics in my field of interest, undergraduate research requirements, student organizations and clubs, the sports culture and a diverse student population. I play violin in the Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra and enjoy sharing my love of music with other students. It’s also a great break from studying.

My research experience at Purdue, working in Dr. Mark Hall’s laboratory, has opened doors for summer internships, co-authoring articles and presenting my research at national conferences. Last summer I completed a summer research internship at the Indiana University School of Medicine and worked under the mentorship of world-class scientists and doctors studying neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These experiences have crystallized my career goal to become a physician-scientist.

I was recently named a 2023 Barry Goldwater Scholar, which will provide opportunities for graduate school, networking with other Goldwater Scholars and connecting with mentors. I graduate in 2024, and as a future physician-scientist, I aspire to create a new understanding of how cancers are driven by cell signaling pathways and to propose novel, targeted therapeutic strategies.