GSBMS Grad Aspires to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases

What inspired you to pursue your degree?    

I always wanted to be a scientist. I was inspired by watching nature NOVA television shows when I was little. I really loved watching Jane Goodall, who was a big role model for me. For undergrad, I went to the University of Rhode Island, where I dual majored in cell and molecular biology with a focus in microbiology and biological sciences and had my first lab experience. I gained a love for scientific research working in the lab of Dr. Alison Roberts [M.S., Ph.D., professor of biological sciences] and Dr. Joanna Norris [Ph.D., professor emerita of biological sciences] on a moss model Physcomitrella patens investigating the genes that regulate cellulose production. After my B.S., I was accepted into the microbiology master’s program at NYMC fall 2015. I decided not to finish because I wanted to pursue a degree that would allow me to do more research. I applied to the Integrated Ph.D. Program at NYMC and was accepted into the program to start in Fall 2016. I decided to focus my degree on neuroscience after my Nana’s health started to decline during my junior year of my B.S. degree. She ended up passing away shortly after. Because of this life event, I started to ask questions like, “why did Nana have this disease?” and “why isn’t it preventable?” I knew want to become a lead researcher who contributes to finding the answers to these diseases.    

What type of research have you been involved in during your time at New York Medical College (NYMC)?    

At NYMC’s GSBMS, I've participated in five research projects. I worked with Dr. Austin Guo [Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology] on angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels and the involvement of an eicosanoid, called 20-HETE, in wound healing. When I entered my Ph.D. program, I worked on Parkinson's disease, which I was very excited about it, with a former researcher at the college, Dr. Thomas Jeitner [Ph.D, Weill Cornell]. I worked on the aggregation of the protein alpha synuclein and investigated how different mutations impacted its aggregation. Then, I worked with Dr. Libor Velisek [M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy, pediatrics and neurology, assistant dean for basic medical sciences and director of the M.D./Ph.D. program] and Dr. Jana Veliskova [M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy, obstetrics and gynecology and neurology] on an infantile seizure model. I would assess seizure variability with introduction of different drugs from pharmaceutical companies that they were working with. After that, I worked with Dr. Sangmi Chung, [Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy], who works on induced pluripotent stem cells in schizophrenia, as well as epilepsy. Lastly, my dissertation lab was with Dr. Christopher S. Leonard, [Ph.D. professor of physiology and interim chair of the Department of Physiology], which focused on the brain and how particular neurons, called hypocretin/orexin neurons, are impacted by chronic opioid exposure. I presented my research on this topic at the Society for Neuroscience conference both virtually during 2020 and 2021, and in person in San Diego at the meeting this past November 2022. I successfully defended my dissertation on March 13, 2023.  

What has helped motivate you along your educational journey? Have you encountered any challenges along the way?

Being a woman in science is very motivating because there needs to be a higher percentage of women pursuing STEM degrees and research. I would like to be a role model for girls who want to get into the STEM field. I started my Instagram account so I could help communicate science and explain concepts to the everyday person and get girls and women inspired. A challenge I had in my journey was that I was never a good test taker, multiple choice exams were quite difficult for me throughout my schooling, while open ended questions were easier to tackle.

After you graduate, what is your dream career?

My dream is to be a director of a large research group. I would love to work with a large group on multiple different projects and get them to harmoniously work together to reach a goal of figuring out the mechanism of a disease, so we can develop a therapy for it.

What made you choose NYMC?

When I took the initial trip to NYMC before choosing to attend the college, I was walked around the school by professors that I had never met before. They were all so nice to me. It was very comforting and welcoming. That made a big impact on my decision.

What has been your favorite aspect of being an NYMC student?

I liked all of the different cultural events, like the Diwali dinners. I would go to all of those events. I loved how people made food from their different nationalities/ethnicities and loved trying them. I learned so many things about different cultures and I think that really defines the school. There are so many different cultures here and those events make the College well-rounded, which I really love.

What faculty member has had the greatest influence on you here?

I've been in Dr. Leonard’s lab for seven years now, so I would say that we have had a positive impact on each other. We've definitely gotten to know each other very well and have learned how to work with one another to successfully complete experiments and analyze data. I also admire Dr. Dana Mordue, [Ph.D. associate professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology]. She’s fantastic. She will take time out of her day to talk with you if if something is bothering you or if you need advice about something. Lastly, Dr. Guo was also very influential to me because he's really good at making the research he conducts into a story. Communicating and conducting science in this manner is to be commended because it makes things clear so that you have a good path to follow as you complete experiments and publish manuscripts.

What advice would you give applicants or incoming students?

When it comes to a Ph.D., grades aren’t the only things that matter. Don't be afraid if you didn't perform amazingly. That won’t hold you back, especially for a Ph.D. They're more interested in your brain and how you think. Show them you can bring like a fresh perspective to the school.

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

I really love art. I love to draw and paint, which is why I use my science Instagram as an outlet for that as well. I like to merge my love for creativity and art with science. I love photography and taking close ups of flowers or insects. I also enjoy reading fantasy. One of my favorite authors is Brandon Sanderson.

Are you a part of any student organizations or interest groups?

I’m a part of the Aspiring Scientists Coalition, New York Academy of Science, Society for Neuroscience and Skype a Scientist.

What is a fun fact about you?

I love video games, especially Pokémon. I play the new games that come out every year. You have to keep your inner child alive.