Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, & Computer Science
I trained competitively as a rhythmic gymnast for over 10 years.
The ability to rewrite our universe in a language that we understand is extremely powerful. Since high school, I have been interested in mathematical modeling, particularly of biological processes and diseases. With strong applications in engineering as well, I’ve found it to be a balance between the abstract and the physical. Double majoring in Math and BME has allowed me to awe at the truths, beauty, and other virtues of mathematics set in our world while aiding the humans who struggle to live in it. As a proponent of exploration and creation, I believe these subjects, along with computer science, are some of the broadest and most impactful disciplines when wielded properly.
At Duke, I am in a research group studying a computational causal model that describes cascading biomarker accumulation, a leading theory behind Alzhiemer’s disease. We build personalized disease models from patient data that have the potential to allow in silico clinical trials and provide individualized therapies and diagnostics; moving forward, we are aiming to model spread across brain regions as well. I also participated in DoMath (now Math+), a Duke summer program, to model evaporation and particle deposition in a microscale membrane pore and am an active member in the Randles Lab studying new biomarkers with computational fluid dynamics modeling to better understand coronary artery disease. These experiences have further cemented my goals to earn a PhD and remain in academia. More recently, my interests have shifted to stochastic modeling in computational and theoretical neuroscience. Now, I am also in the Dunn Lab researching behavioral syllables in Parkinson’s patients.
Besides research, I am the co-president of the Duke University Math Union and a member of the Society of Women Engineers. Much of my time is also spent dancing with Defining Movement and Embodiment, where my love for contemporary and jazz styles can thrive. Outside of academics and dance, I also enjoy playing the piano, baking, listening to music, and watching Studio Ghibli movies.
Being a SPIRE fellow has been the greatest opportunity to pursue exploration and knowledge. Whether this is learning about oneself through understanding identity, others through inclusivity and community, or new avenues through the multiple pillars of support the program offers, I am further motivated to journey forward with SPIRE as a constant on my path. You are given chances to meet people of the same interests who can offer advice and understanding, and they are the biggest advocate for your education and wellbeing.
