My Perspective
I was diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss shortly after birth. The loss is mild/moderate in my left ear, and severe/profound in my right ear. Without hearing aids, this is roughly 35% less normal hearing abilities.
At seven years old, I was diagnosed with a genetically unknown neuromuscular disease that resembles Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). This disease causes slow deterioration of my peripheral nerves (affecting my limbs).
To deal with these two conditions, I wear hearing aids in both ears, and use mobility devices. I used a walker and leg braces for a decade, until I became wheelchair-bound winter of 2023.
Living with disabilities is a bit tedious. It even made doing my favorite hobbies impossible. But, it has transformed my worldview by letting me understand the importance of little things and perspective, fueling my passion for helping others live better lives.
I believe that all challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Work Experience
Research Intern
November 2024 – Present
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology
Click for details
Contributing to cutting-edge RNA therapeutics research in the Disney Lab:
- - Perform RNA structural, functional, and interaction analyses to characterize regulatory RNA elements and identify disease-relevant gene targets across cancer, autism, and severe genetic disorders.
- - Analyze secondary structure stability, co-variation, and RNA–small molecule interaction potential to assess therapeutic tractability.
- - Use integrated computational pipelines on the HiPerGator supercomputer to translate sequence, structure, and interaction signals into actionable RNA therapeutics research objectives.
Undergraduate Student Researcher
November 2022 – Present
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University
Click for details
Worked in multiple FAU Faculty-led neuroscience labs to analyze brain imaging data and design experiments.
Now independently pursuing my computational genomics thesis research with guidance from faculty. More details to come!
Education Experience
B.S., Biological and Physical Sciences Honors
Double concentration: Biological Chemistry and Data Science & Analytics
August 2022 – Expected May 2026
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University
Click to view activities
- Delegate, National Model United Nations (NMUN)
- Member, Honors College Judicial Board Council
- Volunteer, Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
- Member, Leon Charney Diplomacy Program
- Officer, Disabled Student Union (DSU)
- Officer, Math Club
High School Diploma
August 2018 – May 2022
Bartram Trail High School
Click to view activities
- President, Quill and Scroll Honor Society
- President, Technology Club
- AP Scholar
Volunteer Experience
State Ambassador of Florida
2017 – 2019
Muscular Dystrophy Association (Jacksonville, Florida)
Click for details
I volunteered many hours into raising money for neuromuscular disease research and patient care.
I did this by giving speeches at events and being involved with my local community to share my story and spread awareness.
I'm so grateful to say that I raised over $120,000 for the MDA!
Fundraising Volunteer
2013 – 2022
Muscular Dystrophy Association (United States)
Click for details
Supported and ran MDA Gala, Muscle Walk, Boot Drive, and more private/public events, as well as my own fundraising teams.
Unfortunately, the pandemic forced these events to pause. I hope to be involved again soon.
Raised roughly $300,000 over seven years to support my disabled peers.
Some Personal Fun Facts
- - I'm a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do.
- - I was born on July 2, 2004, so I am 21 years old.
- - I have lived in thirteen different houses during my lifetime.
- - I love researching new technology and making my own prototypes/solutions.
- - I have been wearing leg braces since I was eight years old and am now in a wheelchair.
- - My family has three Australian Shepherd dogs, five goats, five horses, four cats, and a bird!
- - I saved my mom’s life when I was four years old by spotting skin cancer patterns on her back, which helped ignite my love towards helping others.
- - During the fall of 2023, I took care of my grandmother for six months until she passed away. This exposed me to clinical environments including hospital, rehabilitation, and emergency settings.