-Current PhD Candidate in Neuroscience in the Polter Lab at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences.-Interested in the effects of early life stress and adversity on the brain’s developing serotonergic circuitry at the behavioral and synaptic level. -Specializing in ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology and behavioral analysis using pharmacological manipulation.-Mentoring and collaborating with 4 undergraduate students on several lab projects.-Proficient in research project design, delegation and execution. -Also have extensive background in RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, human cell culture, stereotaxic surgeries, perfusions, and viral injection.

We serve as a student government to provide a forum for the advancement of, and advocacy for, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBS) graduate students intellectually, professionally, academically, and socially. As President, I am responsible for external relations, specifically working closely with IBS PhD Program Deans and Directors regarding matters of IBS student affairs, as well as the larger entities of GW, CCAS, CNMC, and SMHS.

Attended monthly meetings and reported on pertinent developments to students in the Neuroscience program, in addition to advocating on their behalf for departmental needs. Was elected to council to serve as the social chair and orchestrate the organization’s social media presence. The social chair plans, organizes, and hosts all internal and external social events. Gained experience in digital marketing and social media, advertising, and event coordination and planning.

The Association for Women in Science is dedicated to achieving equality and full participation for individuals in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. In this role, I am responsible for development and management of the AWIS DC Chapter social media presence, including media communications, public relations and outreach, and event activities.

Our mission is to advance the understanding of the brain by fostering communication and collaboration between local neuroscientists, policymakers, and members of the community. In this position for SfN DCMA, I work alongside a co-chair and our executive board to organize and execute science policy-related programming for our members.

Master’s Thesis Project- “Spinal cord reflexes in a brain-iron deficient model of Restless Legs Syndrome: Role of dopamine and adenosine receptors”, Laboratory of Dr. Stefan Clemens, Department of Physiology-Worked independently as a graduate student to assess the effects of inducible brain-iron deficiency on reflex excitability and leg movements during sleep, and effects of dopamine and adenosine treatments on this phenotype. -Mentored and collaborated with 2 undergraduate students.-Extensive experience with research project design, delegation and execution. Also proficient in animal husbandry and behavioral experiments, in addition to Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. -Presented at local and National conferences, including Society for Neuroscience’s Global Connectome and the Eastern Carolina Chapter of SFN’s annual meeting. -Published first-author manuscript in Frontiers in Neurology titled “Effects of iron-deficient diet on sleep onset and spinal reflexes in a rodent model of Restless Legs Syndrome”, 2023.

-Taught two sections of Organic Chemistry 1 lab to undergraduate students-Presented background material for each lab-Facilitated lab experiments and assisted students with troubleshooting-Wrote review quizzes and exams, and graded assignments as necessary-Held tutoring hours twice a week for Organic Chemistry 1 main class-Graded exams for Organic Chemistry 1 as necessary

Volunteer Ambassador in the Emergency Department at DRH. Served in this position for a semester where I worked directly with doctors and nurses in the ED to tend patient needs, turn over rooms, and wait on patients in the waiting room.