Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because it is a place with tremendous breadth in biomedical research, where people also take big scientific questions seriously. I was drawn to its culture of rigorous, curiosity-driven research and to the freedom to think across disciplines. Being part of the second cohort of the XDBio program gave me not only the flexibility to explore ambitious questions across biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, cell biology, virology and proteomics, but also the strong funding support that made that exploration possible. That combination was incredibly important to me. I was also especially excited by the opportunity to work in Dr. Anthony Leung’s lab, where I could study biomolecular condensates and ADP-ribosylation in a creative, deeply collaborative and intellectually exciting environment.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving the Claude & Barbara Migeon Research Award means a great deal to me. Personally, it feels like recognition of years of persistence, uncertainty and growth, because research rarely moves in a straight line. Many of the most important parts of a Ph.D. happen quietly, through failed experiments, rethinking and continuing to push forward when the answer is not yet clear.

Professionally, it is deeply encouraging to have this work recognized by the Hopkins community. It gives me confidence as I move toward the next stage of my career and continue developing my own scientific ideas. I do not have a personal connection to the Migeon family, but I feel especially honored to receive an award named after two people whose legacy reflects both outstanding basic science and deep commitment to mentorship. Because those are both values I care about strongly, that connection makes this recognition especially meaningful to me.

What contributed to your project’s success? (Special skills, interests, opportunities, guidance, etc.)

One important factor was being willing to approach the same question from multiple angles. This project drew on biochemistry, biophysics, structural thinking and cell biology, and I enjoy trying to connect those different levels into one coherent story.

Another factor was persistence. This project took time, and the final idea became clear only after many iterations. One of my strengths is stepping back from a project, rethinking how the results fit together, and finding the version of the story that best reflects the biology.

I was also very fortunate to have excellent mentorship from Dr. Anthony Leung, a strong collaborative environment at Hopkins, and colleagues who brought complementary expertise and insight.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I think Young Investigators’ Day is a wonderful reminder that trainees are not just supporting research, they are actively driving it. Graduate students and fellows generate ideas, solve problems, mentor others and carry projects forward through years of effort. It is important to celebrate that contribution.

I also appreciate that Young Investigators’ Day brings together people across departments and fields. It reflects one of the best parts of Hopkins, which is being surrounded by people asking very different questions, but all deeply committed to discovery.

What has been your best or most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

One of my most memorable experiences has been mentoring students in the lab and watching them grow into confident young scientists. Over the course of my Ph.D., I have had the chance to mentor multiple trainees, and seeing them develop their own ways of thinking and contribute meaningfully to research has been deeply rewarding.

Another memorable part of my Hopkins experience has been the moment when a difficult project finally starts to make sense. There is something very special about spending a long time in uncertainty and then suddenly seeing the logic click into place. That feeling has shaped how I think about science and about resilience.

What are your plans over the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Over the next year, I plan to complete my Ph.D. and graduate from Johns Hopkins. I am thinking seriously about the next stage of my career and exploring paths where I can combine rigorous science, clear thinking, mentorship and communication.

I want to contribute not only to scientific discovery, but also to how science is translated, explained and shared. I care deeply about making important ideas clearer, more compelling and more human, whether through research, mentorship, scientific storytelling or innovation.

I have also begun exploring entrepreneurship and early-stage investing, which has expanded how I think about impact, not just through discovery, but through helping strong ideas become real, useful and widely adopted. Looking ahead, I am excited by opportunities at the intersection of science, innovation and communication.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

One thing that is especially important to me is science storytelling. In my spare time, I created an interview-based project called Hidden Stories at the Bench (linktr.ee/HiddenStoriesAtTheBench), where I interview scientists, communicators, investors and entrepreneurs about the human side of discovery, including the failed experiments, detours, doubts and turning points that usually never appear in a paper. I also enjoy exploring the different career paths people take in and around science, and the lessons they learn along the way.

I started this project because I wanted to make science feel more human and less isolating, especially for trainees. I think one of the most meaningful things we can do in science is not only to generate knowledge, but also to help people feel seen while they are trying to create it.

I’m also an avid tennis fan.