One of my favorite jobs during my youth was working at the local Italian deli. While pursuing my master's degree in the UK, I worked part-time in a lab and also part-time at a pub. I haven’t stopped working since, and every job I’ve had has taught me valuable skills that have made me better at what I do today.

I'm an avid reader, and one of the reasons I love books is because of how much potential there is in new ideas. Books, and any other sources of new ideas that I can get my hands on, plant deep seeds of curiosity and possibility in me. I love looking for ways to use that knowledge to support my communities.

I am not a follower—I have always paved my own path. Growing up, I got a lot of flack from family and friends about the path that I chose. I knew who I was and what I wanted, so I stayed the course and kept going, regardless of what others thought. It’s important to get to know yourself end what fuels you, so that you can stay true to who you are.

I’ve been lucky to be around people who valued diverse voices and supported my career. Now that I’m in a position to make a difference, I’m committed to doing the same for those who follow in my footsteps.

I’ve seen firsthand how elevating women and people of color in science can broaden our perspectives and strengthen our industries. I want to do my part to support people from across backgrounds in bringing their skills and ideas to science.

Patient care is personal, and I’m an advocate for patients to be both well informed and have primary influence over their healthcare decisions. That means making sure our healthcare system stays independent from partisan politics or religious authorities so that everyone has access to the best treaments available to them for their healthcare goals.

I’m constantly searching for ways to connect people and fill in gaps in representation. If the voices of people impacted aren’t present in a conversation, I’m not afraid to call that out.

As a manager and leader, I see my own accountability as an important part of my team’s success. I’m very determined, and work hard to fulfill my responsibilities on projects. If I drop the ball, I take the blame and move forward, and work to instill that same commitment to honesty and resilience in my team members.

I grew up having to do things on my own, so I know how to fix everything around the house and have no problem figuring out how to address new problems (or broken dishwashers) whenever they come up. I like knowing I can rely on myself.

I care deeply about making the world fair and just for everyone. I grew up in a household where the girls were treated differently than the boys – my brothers lounged around while I scrubbed dishes – and I’m committed to creating more equal cultures where everyone can thrive the way they want to.