1. What is your current role at CMRI?

I contribute to the School KIDS study, a collaborative research project with North Kansas City Public Schools that investigates the impact of respiratory infections on children. Each month, we collect nasal swabs from participating students and compare the results to data from our air quality monitoring devices. Our study spans 11 schools across the district, providing valuable insights into environmental and health correlations.

Additionally, I support the Emergency Medicine Research team through the Kansas City-New Vaccine Surveillance Network (KC-NVSN). In this role, I help test pediatric patients to identify specific respiratory infections, enabling us to gather data that informs future public health interventions and vaccine development.

2. What drew you to a career at CMRI?

I earned my undergraduate degree in Public & Community Health during the COVID-19 pandemic — a time that deeply shaped my academic journey and professional goals. Courses like epidemiology, health data and statistics and health communication sparked a strong passion for public health and inspired me to get involved in efforts that help keep communities healthier and safer.

3. What are your research/career goals?

My long-term goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatrician. Right now, I love working in the emergency department, and pediatric emergency medicine is a specialty I could see myself pursuing as a physician. While I’m excited to explore where medical school and residency will lead me, one thing is certain — after earning my medical license, I would be thrilled to return to Children’s Mercy and continue serving the community that inspired my journey into medicine.

4. What is your favorite thing about working at CMRI?

I love how dynamic and diverse my role is! Some days I’m in the emergency room working with critically ill children, other days I’m out in elementary schools connecting with students in our research study. And when I’m not in the field, I’m at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute handling data and coordinating behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly. The variety keeps me energized and constantly learning.

5. What is on your bucket list?

I would love to explore more places in Europe! I've been to Paris and London so far.