Where are you from?
I am from Madison, Wisconsin!
Why did you choose the combined BA/MA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology?
I chose the BMB major and the BA/MA program because the coursework will help me to build a strong background in both biology and chemistry, which is essential in my field of interest: drug discovery. The major also offers a lot of interesting advanced electives, and the BA/MA program in particular is very research-oriented.
What kind of research have you done?
The summer after freshman year I performed research in a lab at the BU School of Dental Medicine on the epigenetic marks associated with stem-like traits in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells and investigated the effects of a potential drug on two different HNSCC cell lines. My current research is focused on structure-based drug design with the protein target Keap1, a major regulator of the body’s natural response to oxidative stress.
How did you get your research position?
I found my first research position on the BU UROP website and emailed the PI a short introduction and my CV. After I decided I wanted to switch labs in the fall, I met with my academic advisor, who recommended my current lab to me and put me in contact with the PI.
What extracurriculars do you participate in?
I have been a part of the Crafts for Charity and uWISE clubs at BU.
What is your favorite course?
My favorite course so far has been Intensive Organic Chemistry. The lectures were really engaging and the professor did a great job of tying in real-world connections.
What is your favorite BMB memory?
I met a lot of my friends in my intensive chemistry courses. After 5:30-9:30pm labs, we would all go out for dinner together, which was really fun after a 4 hour lab!
What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I would like to attend graduate school to earn a PhD. Ultimately, my goal is to work on designing more effective and targeted cancer treatments at either an academic institution or cancer research center.