I am a junior neuroscience major preparing to attend medical school. I feel a great desire to help people who are currently unwell create more unhindered, fulfilling lives. I experienced several acute, traumatic injuries growing up, and at age ten, I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. Caring physicians helped me to find hope and healing despite these injuries and illnesses. The impact that these doctors had on my life inspired me to become a physician as well!
As freshman at BYU, I researched the effects of spreading depolarizations on cellular metabolism in hippocampal rat neurons as part of the Ben Bikman lab. Now, under the direction of Professor Merkley, my research focuses on using neuroimaging tools to analyze the effects of TBIs on brain structure and function. My current research interests are (1) type-1 diabetes islet transplantation and (2) the cellular mechanisms and neuroplasticity of neuronal healing post-TBI.
In my spare time, I love participating in service projects, catching frisbees, hiking mountains, and learning to play new hymns on the guitar!