In May of 2025, I got my Bachelor of Science in Biology at Bradley University in my hometown of Peoria, IL. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I got involved in numerous activities including Beta Beta Beta, a biological honors society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, a health professions honors society, as well as our campus Biology Club. In addition, I held leadership positions including the Vice President of Finance for my panhellenic sorority, Kappa Delta, as well as the President of the Bradley Women’s Club Volleyball Team. Outside of school involvement, I immersed myself into genetic counseling by completing an internship with the University of Illinois Pediatric Genetics Clinic and completing a GCA course with Johns Hopkins.

I’ve valued my volunteer experiences more than any other training however, as it has given me the chance to learn about so many walks of life and broaden my understanding of the human experience. Whilst in my undergrad, I volunteered as a health advocated for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, a local organization fighting to end sexual assault and domestic violence. Here, I helped patients in emergency room settings, talking them through their options both in their health and autonomy, but also giving them legal resources. I also volunteered with Almost Home Kids in Peoria, IL and a shelter for asylum seekers called Casa Alitas over winter breaks down in Tucson, AZ.

Outside of activities and volunteering, I participated in research throughout the entirety of my undergraduate career. Here, I conducted molecular biology research investigating localization and activation of methionine sulfoxide reductase genes in Tetrahymena thermophila. I got the opportunity to present research findings at many small conferences including the Midwest Protozoology Conference.

After graduation, I began my role at the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential summer camp, where I provided individualized care for children and adults with disabilities and eventually joined management. I also immersed myself in the rare disease community through a personal project on the lived experiences of patients and families diagnosed with rare diseases. Here, I conducted several semi-structured interviews on the day of diagnosis, and identified many aspects of clinical care that went well as well as could be improved. From these interviews, I wrote an Op-Ed piece that is in the works for publishing.

I am incredibly excited to be taking my next step at Baylor College of Medicine and am eager to see my growth through these two years. If any prospective students have questions, I am happy to chat!