Hi! I'm a fourth-year pre-med student at the University of Chicago double majoring in Neuroscience and Cell & Molecular Biology. I'm passionate about medicine, science, and working with people. On campus, I competed in NCAA Division III track and field, volunteer at a children's hospital, and conduct neuroscience research investigating the neural mechanisms underlying addiction. I love meeting new people, sharing my experiences, and helping others have a memorable and welcoming experience.

Hometown

San Francisco, California

Major(s)

Neuroscience, Biology (Cell and Molecular)

Clubs, organizations & involvement

NCAA Division III Varsity Track & Field — Student-Athlete Neuroscience Metcalf Summer Fellowship — Summer Research Fellow Comer Children's Hospital — Volunteer Women in Neuroscience — Student Member Women's Athletic Association — Member

Describe your college experience

College has been a period of tremendous growth. It hasn't always been easy, and it certainly hasn't always been positive, but the challenges have shaped me just as much as the successes. Through setbacks, mistakes, and moments of uncertainty, I've learned resilience, adaptability, and the importance of asking for help and continuing to move forward. Looking back, I realize that the most meaningful parts of my college experience weren't the moments when everything went according to plan—they were the experiences that pushed me to grow into a stronger, more confident, and more empathetic person.

Tip for future students

Don't underestimate the academic rigor at UChicago—it really does live up to its reputation. Also, invest in a good winter coat because Chicago winters are no joke! Looking back, one thing I wish I had done sooner was talk to more upperclassmen, especially students in STEM. Hearing about their experiences, study strategies, and advice would have made the transition much smoother and helped me feel more confident navigating classes, research, and extracurricular opportunities.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Psychoactive Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior, an upper-level neuroscience elective. The course explores the neural mechanisms of drug action while highlighting cutting-edge addiction research, including work being done here at UChicago. It completely changed the way I thought about neuroscience and sparked my interest in studying the neural mechanisms of addiction. In fact, taking this class led me to connect with the professor whose research lab I now work in. Looking back, it was one of the most influential classes I've taken because it helped shape both my academic interests and my future career goals.

Career goals

Right now, I plan to pursue medicine and apply to medical school after taking a gap year. During that year, I hope to continue doing neuroscience research, deepen my understanding of addiction and the brain, and gain additional clinical experience. That said, one thing college has taught me is to stay open to new opportunities. While medicine is my current goal, I'm excited to see where my experiences over the next few years take me.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night is spent with friends, whether that's something low-key like cooking dinner together, playing a game, or heading out on a random side quest. One of my favorite things about being at UChicago is exploring Chicago—there's always a new neighborhood, coffee shop, restaurant, or event to discover. The city has so much to offer, and some of my best memories have come from simply deciding to go explore with friends.

High school or secondary school

The Nueva School, San Mateo, California