Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I was drawn to Johns Hopkins because of its vibrant community of excellent scientists and resources. This has been a crucial resource for me as my research spans multiple fields of study, and it would not have been possible without JHU’s collaborative environment and its researchers with expertise in a variety of topics and perspectives.

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

I’m honored to have received this award in recognition of my research, and I am excited for the chance to share my findings with the broader Hopkins community.

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

I think the main things were twofold. First, my adviser’s guidance to connect me to the right people, helping me identify collaborators and resources that really propelled this project. The second thing is reading and thinking broadly, which helped facilitate some creative thinking leading to hypotheses that followed the data I was collecting.

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?

Young Investigators’ Day is a great opportunity to highlight the excellent trainees who work at Hopkins, allowing their work to shine with the broader Hopkins community. I’m excited to be a part of it this year to share my research.

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

My lab is a large group of wonderful people, and we are quite close. My most memorable experience is one where my labmates played a monthslong prank on me that came after an offhand comment about how many pumpkins would be too many. In the days leading up to Halloween, more and more pumpkins (and candy!) would appear at my desk, culminating in a fun happy hour on Halloween itself. It was a fun time.

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

I still have more to learn! My research has multiple exciting possibilities to follow, and I’m excited to continue this work. As for the immediate term, I hope to continue working at Hopkins for a few more years to gain more technical skills and develop an independent research program.

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

I love to explore cities, especially by foot, public transit or cycling. Its slower pace allows you to experience the city in a way where you have the time to notice small details and experience subtle changes as the seasons progress. I really recommend people try it some time, if able!