ABOUT ME

As a results-oriented translational therapeutics researcher, I integrate medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, comparative medicine, and molecular biology to advance innovative molecular modalities for diverse, impactful clinical applications. Currently, I am an MD/PhD candidate conducting thesis research in Dr. Anastasia Khvorova’s lab in the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School; my focus is design, synthesis, and characterization of modified siRNA architecture for optimized metabolic stability, potency, accumulation, and duration of effect in extrahepatic tissues. I am concurrently training in clinical medicine to better understand the concerns of patients and providers; ultimately, I will apply my physician-scientist training to address unresolved clinical needs by expanding the armamentarium of RNA therapeutics. I began my scientific career with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and chemistry at the College of Charleston, including synthetic chemistry research under Frederick Heldrich and a thesis characterizing novel organosilicon compounds under Gamil Guirgis. These experiences provided me with broadly applicable technical skills in chemical synthesis, spectroscopy, molecular modeling, experimental design, and scientific communication. Specifically, my studies of molecular modeling introduced me to pharmacophore modeling, which piqued my interest in medicinal chemistry as a practical application of my burgeoning scientific acumen. Although I appreciated basic science training, I sought an applied research opportunity with pragmatic, meaningful outcomes. Consequently, I worked in the drug discovery lab of Mark Hamann at the Medical University of South Carolina, wherein I investigated novel semisynthetic derivatives of manzamine A for potential antimalarial and antineoplastic activity. I enjoyed this opportunity to investigate potential solutions to clinical problems using my ingenuity and knowledge of molecular science, motivating my current training in therapeutics research. Concurrently, I explored teaching and mentorship as a primary- and secondary-school substitute teacher for the Charleston County School District. I also trained as an Emergency Medical Technician to acquire clinical knowledge and patient interaction, which inspired me to align my research interests with my humanistic values and newfound clinical interests. I subsequently joined the Medical Scientist Training Program at UMass Chan Medical School to obtain integrated physician-scientist training. I have completed my preclinical medical education, USMLE Step 1 board exam, medicine and neurology clerkships, and graduate school qualifying exam. I ultimately plan to advance my professional development in a Physician-Scientist Training Program and pursue my research niche in academic medicine or the pharmaceutical industry.