The aim of my doctoral training is to develop research, grant writing, and teaching skills. My training will help me practice and improve my technical skills and prepare me for an academic career as an independent biomedical researcher. This training will also help me gain comprehensive experience in molecular biology techniques and scientific communication.
During my early undergraduate career, I had a poor understanding and exposure to careers in biomedical sciences. Consequently, I began down the nursing and medical practitioner paths, which helped me realize these careers were not of much interest to me. Following these failed attempts at choosing a career, I sought out advice from my mentor at the time who assisted me in my search for a research position. I began washing dishes, radiation testing, organizing lab equipment and reagents, and assisting with cell culture maintenance, but I wanted to do more. I wanted to be involved in the research process and I wanted to contribute to the overarching goal of biomedical research – to acquire and share information that can positively impact society.
This experience started a cascade of research experiences in which I rotated through different departmental labs (i.e. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
Psychology, and Microbiology and Immunology) to identify my interest. During my time in the Microbiology and Immunology department, I realized my passion for understanding host-microbe interactions and my potential to impact the field and society with my research.
I am committed to perusing a career as an independent NIH-funded researcher, teacher, and mentor. The findings of my graduate research on Neisseria gonorrhoeae will serve as the foundation for the development of therapeutics, which will limit the burden of gonococcal disease on society. The teaching, mentoring, and scientific communication training I will complete will help me support future independent biomedical scientists in their efforts to translate research into tangible solutions for the public.