I earned my bachelor’s degree in animal science and spent six years conducting swine research before returning to Iowa State University to pursue biomedical research. There, I worked with a mini-pig model of Becker’s muscular dystrophy, an experience that sparked my interest in the intersection of molecular biology and environmental health. This led me to pursue a master’s degree in Genetics and Genomics at Iowa State, where my research focused on how environmental-induced heat stress affects cardiac physiology in both swine and murine models. I expanded this work to investigate the impact of heat stress on kidney function, obesity, and gene therapy outcomes.

I am particularly drawn to the University of Iowa’s Human Toxicology Program because of its focus on environmental stressors and toxicant-induced disease, as well as its interdisciplinary training and collaborative research environment. I am excited to study toxicology through multiple scientific perspectives and to understand how this work translates into real-world applications that address complex health challenges.

Outside of the laboratory, I enjoy baking, reading, hiking, and spending time with my dogs.