Personal Statement

I am an aspiring scientist with a passion for the many facets of medicine, including research (mainly basic science research), bioethics, health policy, and also medical practice. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences from the University of Minnesota - Rochester. I also have an Associate of Science degree in business administration with a management concentration. I am currently working towards my Master's of Science degree in Immunology at the Mayo Graduate School.

I have solid work and volunteer experiences relating to my interests in science in medicine. I am currently employed in the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group. I am president of the Minnesota Interlaboratory Microbiology Association (M.I.M.A.) and I also serve as a member of Minnesota Department of Health's Healthcare-Acquired Infections Advisory Group. My previous work experience includes two and a half years in Mayo Clinic's Clinical Microbiology Laboratory; approximately four years in a neuroimmunology research laboratory at the University of California - Riverside, slightly over one of those years of which I was the laboratory manager; and two years as a certified nursing assistant. I have also volunteered as the director of administration for the COPE Health Workforce Transformation Program at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, CA. I was the president and founder of the UMR Colleges Against Cancer (an American Cancer Society organization) chapter, and I oversaw the organization of the University's first Relay for Life event.

In my free time I enjoy gardening, reading, exercising outdoors, and thinking up new goals to accomplish!