Career My long-term goals are to (1) advance the application of genetic engineering for food security and health, and (2) excel in communicating that science to the broader public.
Area of Study/Expertise Plant & Microbial Biology
Degree
PhD, 2017
I am a postdoctoral scholar at the Innovative Genomics Institute at UC Berkeley. After finishing my B.S. at UCLA, I pursued a PhD degree in microbiology at UC Berkeley. My research interests are in diseases, genetics, and bioethics. These three areas of research are evolving so rapidly, and it’s been an exhilarating ride to see them develop over the years. Outside of my own research, I’m deeply engaged in science communication, presenting the latest science to high schools, science centers, botanical gardens, and bars. I led a team of undergraduate software developers and artists to create a mobile game that teaches students about the genome editing technology CRISPR. I continue to lead graduate students to engage local high schools in discussions about genome editing and bioethics. In a single year, we taught over 700 students! I am deeply honored and grateful to have had such wonderful experiences and am excited to share many more with fellow students, teachers, and scientists.
NERDS provided me with the academic guidance, community, and funding that helped me navigate my graduate program. I learned valuable lessons in how to select a mentor, shared stories with fellow NERDS and learned from each others experiences. The fellowship funding greatly expanded my options for what labs I could join as well as travel for conferences.
