What led you to pursue a career in STEM?

I pursued STEM because I have always been drawn to the places where science becomes tangible: cells, disease mechanisms, patient care, and the questions that sit between the lab bench and the clinic. My path has not been traditional, but that is also what made it clear. After years of clinical experience and undergraduate research, I became more certain that I did not just want to understand biology from a distance. I wanted to contribute to the kind of research that can eventually change how patients are diagnosed, treated, and cared for.

What is your chosen field, and how does your work benefit society?

My chosen field is biomedical research, with a strong interest in cellular biology, pathology, immunology, and translational medicine. I am especially interested in how cellular behavior can help us understand disease and improve treatment strategies. My current research experiences have included work with SH-SY5Y cells, Drosophila, C. elegans, microscopy, immunofluorescence, and translational lab work connected to cell therapy. This work benefits society because it helps build the foundation for better disease models, more precise therapies, and research that can eventually move from the lab into patient care.

What challenges do you face as a caregiver, and how do they impact your career?

As a caregiver and mother of three children, the largest challenge is balancing serious scientific training with the real responsibilities of parenting. My children are 12, 7, and 6, and my youngest daughter has autism and receives special education services. Childcare is not optional for me; it is the difference between being able to show up fully in the lab or having to leave early, miss opportunities, or depend heavily on family support. I often have to make difficult decisions between meeting my children’s needs and meeting the demands of research, coursework, and professional development. Those responsibilities do not make me less committed to STEM, but they do mean that my path requires more planning, support, andfinancial sacrifice.

How will this award help you advance your career or follow your passion?

This AWIS scholarship will directly help me continue advancing in STEM by reducing some of the childcare and transportation barriers that come with summer research training. This summer, I will be working full time in a biophysics lab through an NSF ExLENT opportunity, while also needing reliable care for my children. The award will help cover summer camp costs and transportation support for family caregivers, giving me enough stability to be present and productive during the early part of my internship. More broadly, this support helps me stay on the path toward becoming a physician-scientist and research leader. It allows me to keep building the technical skills, research record, and professional foundation I need without having to choose my children and my future in science.