I grew up in Johnston, Iowa, and am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Economics at the University of Iowa. I am a member of the Honors Program and compete as a student-athlete on the swim and dive team. I have always been drawn to the medical field and plan to attend medical school after graduation. At the same time, I have been particularly curious about how diseases and illnesses develop and spread, which led me to join Dr. Mangalam’s lab. My work in the lab has deepened my appreciation for biomedical research, and I plan to continue contributing to our projects through my undergraduate studies. I value the opportunity to build both my scientific knowledge and practical research skills, experiences that will shape my future career as a physician.