University of Wisconsin (B.S.), Major: Biochemistry

My ultimate goal is attend medical school in the next couple of years, but I am not sure exactly which field I'd like to pursue. I do know that I enjoy working directly with patients and I'm very excited to continue doing clinical research throughout my gap years and into medical school.

I was so used to doing bench research and never really loved doing it, so I applied to this position to be able to do research alongside one of the most respected surgeons I've ever met. At the same time, I'd be learning how to work directly with patients and spend some meaningful time in the operating room. I've shadowed physicians in the past, but this is my first time being able to get an inside look to how research is conducted alongside a practice. I hope to be able to draw on everything I learn here for the rest of my career.

I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Go Bills! Then I went to school in Madison, WI at the University of Wisconsin for three years before moving to Philadelphia.

I find that I benefit a lot from just talking things out with friends and family whenever I have a problem. Those close to me have been crucial to helping me get to this point and, hopefully, they're still there for me in the future. I also have a lot of confidence in myself to handle my own problems from moving halfway across the country for school and essentially starting over.