Helped initiate the Notre Dame Graduate Consulting Careers at the University of Notre Dame. The primary goal of this organization is to spread awareness of the opportunities for PhDs in the consulting industry. My roles have included designing and maintaining the NDGCC webpage, leading case interview/resume workshops, and recruiting alumni in consulting to give seminars about their experiences.

I obtained my PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame under the direction of Jeffrey W. Peng. My research focused on elucidating the conformational ensembles and protein-ligand interactions, particularly via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods accompanied by molecular dynamics simulations. These studies had relevance in the therapeutic realm of chemistry. Deducing the flexibility-activity relationships and the standard structure-activity relationships between enzymes and… Show more I obtained my PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Notre Dame under the direction of Jeffrey W. Peng. My research focused on elucidating the conformational ensembles and protein-ligand interactions, particularly via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods accompanied by molecular dynamics simulations. These studies had relevance in the therapeutic realm of chemistry. Deducing the flexibility-activity relationships and the standard structure-activity relationships between enzymes and drugs can foreshadow possible drug resistance and consequently, aid in effective drug design. Show less

During my time at IWU, I was a member of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Physical Society (APS).

Under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Linger, we assembled synthetic gene constructs to perform gene knockouts of two telomeric proteins, Pot1a and Pat1, using the loxP-Cre recombinase system. The loxP-Cre recombinase system facilitates homologous recombination between two discrete sites, called loxP sites. Once the synthetic gene sequences are assembled, they will be integrated into the genome of Tetrahymena, replacing the endogenous gene sequences. The loxP-Cre system can then be activated… Show more Under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Linger, we assembled synthetic gene constructs to perform gene knockouts of two telomeric proteins, Pot1a and Pat1, using the loxP-Cre recombinase system. The loxP-Cre recombinase system facilitates homologous recombination between two discrete sites, called loxP sites. Once the synthetic gene sequences are assembled, they will be integrated into the genome of Tetrahymena, replacing the endogenous gene sequences. The loxP-Cre system can then be activated by addition of cadmium promoting rapid, targeted removal of the synthetic gene, thus completing the knockout. Ultimately, the phenotypic changes caused by this knockout will be examined in order to gain new insight into the function of the Pat1 gene. Show less

I was a laboratory teaching assistant at Indiana Wesleyan University for Introduction to Chemistry (CHE-110) and Astronomy (PHY-140). I helped communicate basic principles of chemistry and physics to other undergraduate students to assist them in understanding the material. I was also responsible for the preparation of laboratory equipment and solutions.

Our research group, under the direction of Dr. Steven Smith, was able to perform environmental analyses by implementing various techniques. The main research project of the summer was to reengineer a rotating-field mass spectrometer (RFMS) that was developed previously by Dr. Steven Smith at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). We were able to optimize the laboratory equipment (rough vacuum pumps, turbo pumps, an ion gauge, and ion trap). The next step in the project is to design and engineer a… Show more Our research group, under the direction of Dr. Steven Smith, was able to perform environmental analyses by implementing various techniques. The main research project of the summer was to reengineer a rotating-field mass spectrometer (RFMS) that was developed previously by Dr. Steven Smith at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). We were able to optimize the laboratory equipment (rough vacuum pumps, turbo pumps, an ion gauge, and ion trap). The next step in the project is to design and engineer a way to make a the RFMS portable to do in situ measurements. While working on the RFMS, we worked in collaboration with a graduate student at Taylor University. We did air sampling at high altitudes by programming gas sensors with Arduino and Basic Stamp. Also, we performed water sampling via chemical methods (titrimetry, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and atomic absorption). Show less

Our group, under the direction of Dr. John Lakanen, has made great strides in developing an innovative antimalarial agent. We implemented various different reactions and techniques to manipulate our compound chemically to produce a potential therapeutic agent.

Through this organization, I became a mentor for a young first grade student at a local elementary school. For one hour a week I met with my mentee to help him with school work, play games, or simply just talk and get to know each other better. I believe that developing these one-on-one relationships with these students can have profound impacts on their lives.