During my undergraduate studies at Duke University, I became fascinated with the immune system, especially with respect to its therapeutic applications for complex diseases. I pursued this interest during my translational glioblastoma research, studying engineered cytotoxic T cells alongside the cancer’s immune microenvironment. As my research progressed, I began to question the accessibility of scientific advancements, especially in the context of clinical medicine. Accordingly, I investigated the barriers to care and adverse health outcomes faced by Native Americans in North Carolina. I will continue this work in the lab of Professor Ziad Mallat, where I intend to study a promising immunotherapy for atherosclerosis. Given the disparate impact of heart disease on racial and ethnic minority groups within both the US and UK, such advancements are poised to have a significant social impact. Following my studies at Cambridge, I intend to pursue medical education in the US. Through my research, I hope to develop cardiovascular immunotherapies which will alleviate the burden of heart disease on individuals and their communities.
Duke University Chemistry (Pharmacology) 2022