1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am from New Haven, CT but currently reside in Maryland. I currently work at Georgetown University as Director of Reseach, involved in the research efforts of the Red House and the Hub for Equity and Innovation in Higher Education. I serve on the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Board as Pre-medical Board Member. In my free time I braid hair, travel, research, and enjoy time with my family and friends.

2. Who was your favorite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?  Though I have a few favorite teachers, the teacher that pushed me to become involved in biological and health sciences was Mrs. Beitler. She was my high school AP and Honors Biology teacher who allowed me to take AP with seniors and encouraged me to take the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course with the New Haven Fire Academy. I become a state certified EMT-Basic, and this opened up opportunities to work with the Fire Department as first responders, to intern in the Emergency Department at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and to save my brother’s life after a tragic incident.

3. When did you first decide you wanted to become a doctor and why?  My interest in medicine goes back to as long as I remember due to my family basically living in the hospital because my oldest brother has Sickle Cell Disease. I always wanted to “fix” him, which encouraged my questions to his physician about his treatment. Questioning, shadowing, interning, and assisting with research with his Hematologist from middle school to college was helpful in providing answers to my curiosities and instilling the fire for a career in medicine.

4. What area of medicine are you interested in? Family Medicine, Preventative Medicine

5. What’s the coolest experience you’ve had so far on your premedical journey? Assisting with TB Stigma research in South Africa.

6. What is your favorite book?  Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

7. Tell us one thing interesting about you that most people don’t know.  Many of my professional colleagues wouldn’t guess that I also do hair. They are always intrigued and confused when I tell them.

8. If you couldn’t be a doctor, what would you want to do?  I can’t imagine being anything else. Though I have experience as a Public Health professional in practice and research, the urge to be involved in clinical care will never go away. Medicine is part of the larger umbrella of public health, and is a critical component in my opinion. If there’s a such thing as a Public Health Physician then that’s what I’ll be.

9. What has been your biggest obstacle as a premed and how did you (or are you) overcome it?  In addition to Organic Chemistry, my journey has been extended because I had to begin caring for my youngest brother immediately after graduate school. I had to prioritize family over everything. Now that I have support, the remainder of my journey to applying to medical school is completing organic chemistry, biochemistry, and taking the MCAT.

10. What do you like most about PreMed STAR?  I like that Premed STAR is a tangible resource for premeds to befriend other premed student from all over, it provides critical and relevant webinars and opportunities to ask questions, and just all around awesome for students at every stage of their premed journey.

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