Motivated by my mom’s experience with breast cancer, I wanted to learn more about the basic scientific mechanisms as a full-time volunteer in Dr. Rameshwar’s translational stem cell biology research lab. I collaborated in research projects involving breast cancer dormancy and glioblastoma disease progression while auditing Stem Cell Biology and Advanced Stem Cell Seminar in the evenings. I gained technical skills in stem cell culture and expansion, Western Blot, exosome isolation and quantification, and extraction of stem cells.

For three years in college, I participated in the Exercise is Medicine On Campus student chapter, serving as president my senior year. The organization promotes physical activity and wellness throughout college campuses. I led campus-wide wellness initiatives often cross-collaborating with the schools of public health and nursing and presented to over 200 members during meetings to organize events. Such events included team-based obstacle courses to support Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, mindfulness presentations, and monthly health assessment and information tables.

During my time as a Health and Exercise Science major at The College of New Jersey, I attended and helped organize the following conferences that focused on optimizing athletic performance from leaders in the field: -5th Annual Rutgers Human Performance Conference, April 2018, New Brunswick, New Jersey-41st Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, November 2018, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-6th Annual Rutgers Human Performance Conference, March 2019, New Brunswick, New Jersey

I served as the Health and Exercise Science research intern in Dr. Ratamess’s lab, which required both a research and teaching role. I conducted a validation study of a heart rate index equation that predicts oxygen uptake (VO2), with the objective of providing an alternative method to assess cardiopulmonary fitness. I gained technical competency in Vicon Nexus motion analysis, VO2 max and submaximal protocols, upper and lower body Wingate protocols, skinfold and body composition assessment, Tendo Power Analyzer set-up, and metabolic cart calibration and troubleshooting.

During college I served as a TA for Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Spanish for Beginners II & III over three years. I guided and quizzed students on bone and muscle memorization and clinical skills. I also mentored students about career paths and ways to effectively study. As a Spanish TA, I enhanced students' conversation skills by focusing on expanding their vocabulary and making learning Spanish fun. This was accomplished by preparing structured, interactive class activities to reinforce content followed by team-based contests.

For two years during college I worked as a resident assistant in the freshman dorms. I mentored freshman students on how to adjust to the new pressures of college life and explored their passions. I created programs and community development activities based on student needs and learned how to identify and manage crises and refer cases out to professionals as needed. In this role, I also coached students on choosing majors and discovering career paths.

I spent two summers and a winter break during college shadowing Dr. Pergament, an internist at University Hospital and on the faculty of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Daily tasks included taking patient histories and manual blood pressures and unofficially interpreting for Spanish speakers when needed. Dr. Pergament also taught me how to use an otoscope and listen to the varied sounds of heart arrhythmias. I was exposed to electronic medical records, insurance billing, and learned the dynamic between attending physicians and residents.

After completing the program in high school, during college I was selected as an instructor for the Philadelphia chapter of Outward Bound School, a non-profit international organization that creates outdoor learning programs to change lives through challenge and discovery. I organized, selected, and led a group of 10 high school juniors on an expedition along the Delaware River and Appalachian Trail. I prepared course logistics, including lesson plans and purchasing healthy foods for the group on a tight budget. I was also responsible for public relations and spearheading a Sandy Hook community service cleanup project following completion of the course.