Tell us about yourself.
I am a fifth-year student pursuing internal medicine with the goal of becoming a medical oncologist. Prior to medical school, I studied public health at the University of North Carolina and completed a master’s degree in nutrition. I did my thesis work in a cancer metabolism lab, which led to a longitudinal interest in oncology.
Describe your experience at the Lerner College of Medicine.
Being surrounded by students who were excited about research, open to collaborate and compassionate toward patients motivated me to become the best version of myself in medical school. My mentors were deeply invested in my success and dedicated to teaching. I found lifelong friends; we supported each other through vulnerable periods and celebrated each other’s success. A lot of life happens during medical school as well. My two best friends from CCLCM, Gus Roversi and Diana Lopez, were in my wedding party last year.
Which academic aspects have you enjoyed?
The communication skills course in the preclinical years prepared me to navigate challenging scenarios with patients in an empathetic manner. The skills I learned allowed me to establish patients’ trust and set personalized goals. It was also fun to see how my colleagues’ personalities and communication styles influenced the type of doctors they were becoming.
Describe a stand-out moment.
During the basic science summer, I was working with Dr. Jaroslaw Maciejewski, a world-renowned expert in leukemia genetics whose discoveries have transformed care for patients with hematologic malignancies. The way that he challenged me and took a genuine interest in mentoring me not only inspired me to continue oncology research, but also gave me the confidence in my ability to become a physician-scientist. This kind of mentorship has defined my experience at Cleveland Clinic.
What drew you to CCLCM?
My best friend in college, Diana Lopez, started at CCLCM one year before I did. When I visited her for my interview, I was impressed by the way she was already developing her professional identity and engaging in productive research opportunities as a first-year.
Describe your research project.
I spent my research year at the NIH in the lab of Dr. Clint Allen, investigating immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of head and neck cancer. We assessed whether combining immune-checkpoint blockade with an antibody that neutralizes the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF-β would promote recirculation of tumor-specific T cells and enhance tumor-specific immunity. I had the opportunity to present this work at the American Association for Cancer Research conference.
How do you “recharge”?
As a native Rhode Islander, I feel centered when I’m by the water. I enjoy rollerblading near Edgewater Park and paddleboarding in Rocky River.
Describe your community service involvement and how it impacted your outlook.
I worked with the Longitudinal Adolescent Community Engagement group (LACE) where I had the opportunity to lead workshops on communication skills and mental health for adolescents. This experience gave me an understanding of how social factors in the community impact the emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals.
What advice do you wish you had received prior to starting the program?
Your responsibilities multiply each consecutive year; you will grow tremendously in the interim but will only realize your impact toward the end. Establish a wellness routine that you will continue longitudinally: prepare healthy meals, exercise daily, practice meditation and connect with family and friends often.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to the program?
Share your research experiences and goals of becoming a physician-scientist. Reflect on your milestones and what you learned about yourself in both your shining and vulnerable moments.
What goals did you set for yourself while at CCLCM?
One of my goals was to establish physician-scientist mentors who would help me understand how to balance research with clinical practice and decide whether I wanted to work toward having my own lab or being a clinical trialist. By having a variety of research exposures at Cleveland Clinic and the NIH, I realized my interests were more aligned with leading clinical trials in the future.
What would be your theme song?
“My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy cooking with my husband, weightlifting and trying new restaurants with friends. Additionally, we recently got a puppy, Gnocchi, and he has become the center of our world!
