Professional Background
Work Experience
2020 - 2025
PhD Candidate
Wake Forest University
Neuroscience Graduate Program
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Winston-Salem, NC
United States
As a PhD candidate, I investigated the neuroprotective role of GABAB​ receptor signaling in Alzheimer’s disease while also exploring mechanisms of comorbidity and therapeutic interventions. I have gained extensive expertise in cellular and molecular neuroscience, including confocal microscopy, western blotting, immunostaining, neuronal cell culture, calcium imaging, and animal behavior. In managing multiple independent and collaborative projects, I have developed strong organizational and communication skills, reflected in several peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and a highly cited first-author review in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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Dissertation Title: An Exploration of the Synaptic Proteome as an Avenue to Alleviate Alzheimer's Disease - Related Pathophysiology & Behavior
2018 - 2020
Postbaccalaureate IRTA Research Fellow
National Institute of Mental Health
Bethesda, MD
United States
As a postbac fellow, I quantified regional rates of cerebral protein synthesis in an Alzheimer’s disease rat model using in vivo autoradiography and investigated neuromolecular and cellular abnormalities caused by chronic sleep restriction in a juvenile mouse model, gaining experience in translational neuroscience and disease modeling.
2017 - 2018
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
United States
As an undergraduate researcher, I studied communication patterns in juvenile rats by analyzing ultrasonic vocalizations between males and females. My work focused on investigating how a truncated FOXP2 transcription factor variant influenced distress calls, providing insight into the genetic and developmental factors shaping vocal behavior.
Extracurricular Experiences
2025
Contributing Author
The Pipeline Blog
MedRAC@UNC
Authored four in-depth blog articles on FDA-approved therapeutics, detailing disease pathology, mechanisms of action, key clinical trial outcomes, and clinical significance.
2024 - 2025
Guest Author
Cogbites
Authored and published four blog articles on topics in cognition and neuroscience, translating scientific concepts into clear, engaging content for a general audience.
2024 - 2025
Topic Coordinator
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Assisted a team of faculty and journal editors in organizing the research topic "Dysfunctions in GABAergic Signaling in Neurological Disorders," coordinating six publications and supporting editorial workflow.
2023 - 2025
Social Media Chair
Wake Forest Brain Awareness Coun
Led a team of graduate students to develop and maintain a neuroscience education social media presence, producing and scheduling regular content to increase public engagement and science literacy.
Education
2020 - 2025
Wake Forest University
PhD in Neuroscience
GPA (4.0)
Winston-Salem, NC
United States
2014 - 2018
Virginia Tech
B.S. in Clinical Neuroscience
B.S. in Psychology
Summa Cum Laude (GPA: 3.85)
Blacksburg, VA
United States
Professional skillset
Neuroscience Expertise
Scientific Writing, Editing, & Publication
Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, Endnote Reference Manager
Scientific Abstracts, Posters, & Slide Decks
Statistical Analysis & Interpretation
Medical Terminology
AMA Style
Scientific & Medical Communication
Project Management​
Attention to Detail
Adaptabilty to Project Timelines
Cross-functional collaboration
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Leadership & Team Collaboration
Coursework
Medical Writing Skills for Beginners (Write Clinic): 2025
Communicating Science (Wake Forest University): 2023
Medical Terminology (Virginia Tech): 2016
Award & Honors
2025 Wake Forest Neuroscience Program Best Student Tutorial Presentation
2025 AAIC Conference Fellowship: Alzheimer's Association
2023 Trainee Professional Development Award: Society for Neuroscience
2021 Research Foundation Award: FRAXA Research Foundation