Biography

I completed my BA in Biology, Neuroscience, and Children’s Studies at WashU in St. Louis, researching the effects of socioeconomic status on childhood brain development. As a former competitive athlete, I founded the region’s first Special Olympics program and became interested in the biological underpinnings of the neurodevelopmental disorders in the children I coached. As a Medical Science PhD candidate in the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at Cambridge, I seek to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying childhood disorders such as SYT1-related Baker-Gordon syndrome (with Dr. Baker herself). This work will occur in collaboration with Dr. Chris McBain at the NICHD through the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program. My long-term goal is to become a physician-scientist with a focus on pediatric neuroscience, seeking international dialogue and research collaboration in bettering the lives of children with neurodevelopmental challenges. With support from my fellow Gates Scholars, I hope to create a joint sports rehabilitation and music therapy program for special needs children in the Cambridge area. You will likely find me playing my guitar by the River Cam or trying out for the King’s football (soccer) team!

Previous Education

Washington University Neuroscience, Children's Study 2023