Why did you choose LSM?
I chose LSM for a few reasons. First, I’ve always loved science and research, but in order for those to help people, companies need to exist in order to make, gain approval for, and distribute the drugs. So, I know LSM will help grow my love of science and build knowledge about the business side. Additionally, the community, network, and experiences I know will all be invaluable, and something I would get nowhere else.
What do you find most rewarding or enjoyable about the LSM program?
There are so many incredible aspects of LSM, but the most rewarding aspect to me is the community. Everyone I meet in LSM is not only brilliant, but also has such a unique and interesting story to tell, in terms of both where they come from and where they hope to go. From playing games and hanging out with them in the lounge to grinding out papers together in a GSR, LSM provides an outstanding community unlike any other. I know the friends I’ve made in LSM will last a lifetime.
What main extracurricular activities do you do at Penn?
On top of LSAB, I am currently working in the Gadue Lab in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) conducting research on a new gene editing system in stem cells and cells involved in the different stages of hematopoiesis. Additionally, I am on the senior staff for the Community School Student Partnership (CSSP), where I mentor, and send others to mentor, students in high schools in West Philadelphia. I also serve as a consultant for the Penn Undergraduate Biotech Society (PUBS).
Do you have plans for after graduation (tentative or otherwise)?
My current goal is to pursue my PhD in the area of stem cell biology, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine. From there, I hope to do some combination of academia and industry, so I can continue my love of research while also ensuring that my research has applications that can help people. I am also passionate about education, so I could see myself pursuing becoming a professor.