As a public health laboratory fellow for APHL, my roles involve work on multiple projects in the areas of newborn screening, infectious disease, and molecular diagnostics relating to both of the former areas. Taking place at one of the Illinois Department of Public Health's state public health laboratories, my primary current projects entail (1) clinical validation and subsequent implementation of a second- or third-tier cystic fibrosis sequencing assay and (2) development and… Show more As a public health laboratory fellow for APHL, my roles involve work on multiple projects in the areas of newborn screening, infectious disease, and molecular diagnostics relating to both of the former areas. Taking place at one of the Illinois Department of Public Health's state public health laboratories, my primary current projects entail (1) clinical validation and subsequent implementation of a second- or third-tier cystic fibrosis sequencing assay and (2) development and optimization of a sequencing workflow at IDPH for the detection of carbapenemase genes in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, my current work also includes exploring potential sequencing workflows for measles and the utility of SMN2 copy number determination as a future second-tier SMA screening at IDPH. As an extension of my education in epidemiology, I am also involved in the reporting and analysis of data from COVID-19 sequencing at IDPH, with a possible publication upcoming. Show less

Participated actively in research and diagnostic work performed in Dr. Christine Petersen's laboratory group at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases.Main duties included conducting timely qPCR testing for leishmaniasis infections in canine specimens received by the laboratory for both diagnostic and research purposes, as well as performing ELISA for identification of borrelia burgdorferi infection. Additionally helped with specimen… Show more Participated actively in research and diagnostic work performed in Dr. Christine Petersen's laboratory group at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases.Main duties included conducting timely qPCR testing for leishmaniasis infections in canine specimens received by the laboratory for both diagnostic and research purposes, as well as performing ELISA for identification of borrelia burgdorferi infection. Additionally helped with specimen processing and manuscript review for an immunological study of human Lyme disease led by Dr. Karen Cyndari, leading to co-authorship credits.Participated in field work that involved aiding with the collection of specimens from canines which was performed by veterinarians on staff and later used in epidemiological and immunological studies. On a rotating schedule with other laboratory members, organized and led weekly laboratory meetings and gave presentations on thesis work (also completed under Dr. Petersen). Show less

Studied as an undergraduate researcher in the University of Kansas's Chemistry REU program for the summer of 2019. The area of focus for this research is physical chemistry, using fluorescence spectroscopy measurements to study the conformational dynamics of the biologically significant enzyme nitric oxide synthase.

Served at Camp Pine Lake in a variety of roles throughout the summer of 2018 including: preparation and serving of meals for campers, maintenance and upkeep of camp grounds, counselor and mentor for children of all ages, and occasional planning of camp curriculum and activities.