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What inspired you to pursue your degree?
 
I always was really interested in science when I was a child. I enjoyed conducting experiments at home and knew I wanted to do that for a career. When I was a freshman in high school, my mom's cousin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Watching her go through treatment and seeing how fast the disease progressed before her passing made me realize that I wanted to pursue cancer research. I also had even more family members afterwards who were diagnosed with different types of cancer and it reinforced the reasoning for my path in cancer research.
 
What type of research have you been involved in during your time at NYMC? 

Most of my research at NYMC has been my dissertation, which is looking at how the natural compound berberine can remodel fatal anaplastic thyroid cancer properties to make it more amenable to therapy. I’ve also explored different types of research within the topic of berberine and anaplastic thyroid cancer. My dissertation was a collaborative project with my principal investigator Raj K. Tiwari, Ph.D., professor of pathology, microbiology, and immunology and associate professor of otolaryngology; and Xiu-Min Li, M.D., M.S., professor of pathology, microbiology, and immunology, who brought me into the world of natural products. I was also involved in research with Jan Geliebter, Ph.D., professor ofpathology, microbiology, and immunology and associate professor of otolaryngology; and Mark Hurwitz, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Medicine, exploring hyperthermia for melanoma treatment, and research with Dr. Li regarding allergy and asthma. 
 
What has helped motivate you along your educational journey? Have you encountered any challenges along the way?

Research can get a little frustrating when things don't work the first time around, which leads you to get creative when dealing with challenges. The members of my lab  were supportive and brainstormed with me, which helped me through these past few years. I’m thankful for them. My family also was a huge support system for me as well. They checked in on me and brought positivity when I was stressed. The COVID-19 pandemic was obviously a pretty big hurdle during the completion of my Ph.D., because we were unable to go into the lab for months. When all your work primarily relies on active research inside of a lab, that becomes really problematic, but Dr. Tiwari ensured we were still able to be productive during this time out of the lab through journal clubs, grant writing, and studying for qualifying exams.
 
After you graduate, what is your dream career?

I certainly want to stay in academia. I really love teaching. I am an adjunct professor at Manhattanville College. I would also love to have my own active research lab as well one day.
 
What made you choose NYMC?

I knew I wanted to work at a cancer lab. When I did research on labs in the field, I came across NYMC. I loved the work that the faculty were doing. The more I read, the more I felt like the College was the right fit – and it was. I pursued my master’s and Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. The faculty and students have been warm and inviting ever since I stepped foot here seven years ago.
 
What has been your favorite aspect of being an NYMC student?

I love how collaborative everything is. We work with so many people in our lab who are amazing and inspiring. My mentors are wonderful. Working Dr. Tiwari alone would have certainly been enough. All the people in the labs that I work with are so wonderful. We've developed a friendship during that time, which is cool. The people I’ve met here will certainly remain in my life as friends. 
 
What faculty member has had the greatest influence on you here?

Dr. Tiwari is an incredible mentor. He's everything that a mentor should be for a student. He gives such good scientific guidance, but he also gives you the tools you need, where you can be independent at the same time. I've had a lot of family illnesses that I've dealt with and he was understanding and really encouraging and positive. When my mom received a breast cancer diagnosis, he sent her a care package the day that he found out and made sure that if I needed to take her to an appointment that it was fine with him. She’s in the clear now, but I really appreciate that. Dr. Geliebter and Dr. Li have had a great influence me as well. They were both on my committee and advisors on my project. Dr. Geliebter is one of the funniest and passionate people I’ve met. Julie S. Di Martino, Ph.D., assistant professor of cell biology and anatomy, who was on my committee as well, and Tetyana Cheairs, M.D., M.S.P.H., assistant dean of the GSBMS and assistant professor of pathology, immunology and microbiology, gave me a lot of guidance. They’re great role models as women in STEM.
 
What advice would you give applicants or incoming students?
 
Make sure that you find the mentor that's the right fit for you. Mine was so perfect, and it really shaped my experience, but everyone's looking for something different in a mentor and all the different labs here run a little bit differently. We do a ton of research here and we have to be really passionate about it and really love what we're doing. Find the research field that really drives you to keep pushing through and tests your brain.

Outside of your studies, what are your hobbies or interests?

I love to dance ballet. I am a professional ballerina. I also really love reading. I'm an avid audiobook listener. I enjoy putting my headphones in, listening to a book, while pipetting something 7,000 times in a row. I also like going to the beach and hiking.
 
Are you a part of any student organizations or interest groups?

I was one of the founders of the Ph.D. Representatives. The Graduate Student Association is amazing, but we wanted to have a smaller group of Ph.D. students who can connect, since we are in the minority in the GSBMS. 
 
What is a fun fact about you?

Being a ballerina is a well-known fact about me, but a less known fact is that I'm pregnant. I’m having a boy this September.