What inspired you to pursue a graduate degree in global health?  

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and completed my bachelors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UC Davis. I became interested in translational research while working as a research technician at UC San Francisco, where I studied the immune response to malaria in infants whose mothers received antimalarial treatment during pregnancy. 

Why did you decide to attend the UW for graduate school?  

The strong, collaborative infectious disease research at UW Medicine and affiliated institutions including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Children's Research Institute made UW an appealing choice for graduate training. Pathobiology being part of the department of global health was also a factor because I want to conduct research that can have an impact on people's health.  

What are your research interests? 

I am interested in studying regulatory mechanisms of the host immune response and T cell immunology. 

What are you enjoying most about your graduate program? 

I like the courses in the Pathobiology program because they not only teach the foundations of molecular and cell biology, but also global health issues and how we as scientists can contribute to solutions. Also, my cohort has also been an incredible support system and made the transition to grad school and life in Seattle a lot of fun!