Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, & Neuroscience
I met the Pope!
While I have always been passionate about science, I never truly knew what I wanted to pursue until the summer going into my senior year of high school, when I had the opportunity to work at Scripps Research Institute. I interned at a research lab that worked to investigate the effects of PDE10A inhibitory drugs, which target the reward-motivation centers of the brain, on alcoholism and binge-eating disorder. During my time in the lab, I used state-of-the-art techniques to perform brain splice imagery, RNA extraction and transcription, and qPCR to analyze the quality and results from our trials. This experience was incredibly valuable, as it allowed me to develop my passion for biochemistry and explore research. By demonstrating the potential within the scientific field to directly impact lives, my research experience inspired me to pursue science for the betterment of humankind.
While I relished my involvement in research, I found myself yearning to not merely test the efficacy of solutions, but instead take part in the engineering side, where I can be there at step one: the forefront of change-making. This pushed me to explore biomedical engineering and its potential applications towards drug delivery and stem cell engineering.
Since arriving at Duke, my desire to pursue engineering has flourished. My classes, focusing on creativity and design, have shown me the endless possibilities that lie within the engineering field. I am looking into research positions, and I hope to one day attend graduate school, where I will be able to build upon the engineering foundations that Duke has provided me with.
Here at Duke, I am a member of the Society of Women Engineers, the Red Cross Club, and the Biomedical Engineering Society. Beyond academics, I enjoy playing pickleball and soccer, baking, exploring new restaurants, and playing the piano.
Although I have only been at Duke for a limited time, I really love how passionate and tight-knit the community is. Students are incredibly supportive of one another, and there is definitely a unique collaborative culture present on campus. In addition, the faculty are not only invested in their research, but also in the success of their students; their eagerness to get to know students and assist them in their learning is inspiring.
