PhD Candidate in the Microbiology and Immunology department at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Currently a member of the Järvinen-Seppo lab, where I perform research in allergy immunology and gut microbiome. My project focuses on understanding how the infant gut microbiome dynamics can affect the development of allergic diseases in childhood and adulthood, focusing on the effects of the organism Bifidobacterium infantis. My Master's thesis work was performed in the Dunman Lab at URMC, focusing on antibiotic resistance and and drug discovery for the pathogenic organism Staphylococcus aureus. I have a passion and drive for science and science education and have aspirations to apply the research, data analysis, experimental design, mentorship and teaching experience I have garnered during my education to teach and introduce these concepts to fledgling researchers, students, and colleagues.