Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?  

In 2019, I received an abstract achievement award and was invited to present my doctoral work at the American Society of Hematology Annual meeting. Impressed by my presentation, Dr. Linda Resar recruited me as a postdoctoral fellow in her lab in the hematology department at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Given the long-standing legacy of groundbreaking research and academic excellence at Johns Hopkins, I was honored to accept the position.

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

It is an honor to be recognized with this award. Personally, as an African American, female scholar, I am even more greatly honored to receive an award named after Helen B. Taussig. My mentor, Dr. Resar, was fortunate enough to be trained as a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins during Dr. Taussig’s tenure. Dr. Taussig attended Johns Hopkins Medical School during a time when there were few medical schools that accepted female students. While here, she was able to conduct some of her most groundbreaking work on blue baby syndrome with the incomparable Dr. Vivian Thomas, a black technician limited by financial and racial barriers of that time. My research successes are made possible by the bravery and dedication of these great scientists. I like to believe that Dr. Taussig, the founder of pediatric cardiology, would be appreciate of my work on clonal hematopoiesis associated cardiovascular disease.

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

The expert guidance of my PI, Dr. Linda Resar, as well as the expertise and training from our lab manager, Li Luo, and bioinformatics collaborator, Leslie Cope, was instrumental to the success of this project.

Also, I believe my broad training in chemical and biomedical engineering, biostatistical analysis, stem cell biology, and hematopoiesis allow me to approach research questions from a unique perspective to apply a systematic yet adaptable approach to problem-solving that has been invaluable to this work.

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 am appreciative that Johns Hopkins has established this type of event for the celebration of the students/fellows who drive the research at this illustrious institution. Young Investigators’ Day is a career-building opportunity for researchers to share their work, network and build collaborative relationships in a celebratory atmosphere.

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

My most memorable experiences while at Johns Hopkins have been witnessing my trainees give presentations and receive awards for their work. I have also enjoyed bonding with my labmates over lunches, conferences, parties and “lab meetings.”

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

I hope to begin looking for a faculty position or a position in translational science in industry.

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

Outside of the lab, I am a devoted mother and an author of fiction and poetry. I am also the founder and director of a nonprofit organization, STEMulation Station, Inc., which focuses on teaching children science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) principles through fun, hands-on activities.