Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Grand Island, Nebraska
Clubs and activities: Undergraduate research with Espin Laboratory with Raquel Espin-Palazon, assistant professor of genetics, development, and cell biology; University First-Year Honors Program Research Advisor; Grand Island Public Schools (COVID-19 Sack Meals); PrISUm Solar Car; International Student Council; SolidWorks Help Session Leader; Freshman Honors Program Leader; IMPACT; Freshman Leaders in Engineering
Awards and honors: National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholar Finalist, Stanford University ADVANCE Undergraduate Institute Scholar, Barry Goldwater Scholarship Campus Nominee, Cargill Global Scholars Program Cohort 7 Alternative/Semifinalist, Fulbright UK Summer Institute Semifinalist, Stewart Research Award, University Honors Program Grant, First-Year Honors Mentor Program Grant, The Boeing Company Fund Scholarship, Iowa State University Engineering Study Abroad Scholarship, Henry M. Black Scholarship, Iowa State Competitive Excellence Scholarship
Research honors: Published first author and co-author in the Royal Society of Chemistry Interface Focus, Royal Society of Chemistry of Advances, and Blood. Invited researcher for the Harvard University for National Collegiate Research Conference, Microfluidics for Hematology at University of Chicago, National Conference for Undergraduates Researchers, and University of Pennsylvania CEMB Research Symposium.
Who was your most influential mentor while at Iowa State?
Between all of my mentors, I would probably choose Laura Good, the former nationally competitive awards coordinator.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishments at ISU?
Publishing my first paper in the Royal Society of Chemistry Interface focus, as this a pivotal moment in my research career.
What’s your favorite memory of your time at Iowa State?
Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, at the University of New South Wales. One of the best experiences I have had yet in my life.
What’s your favorite place on campus?
The labs on the second floor of Hoover Hall. I spent lots of time (pre-COVID) doing homework and meeting students in these rooms/labs.
What’s your advice for first-year students just starting at Iowa State engineering students?
Be open-minded to meeting new people and taking risks throughout your undergraduate career.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to travel, attend concerts and festivals, bicycle, cook, read, and hang out with friends.
What’s one lesson you’re taking away from this challenging pandemic year?
Family is everything. Without family, times like these are much harder to endure.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan to attend a Ph.D. program in bioengineering, biomedical engineering or medical engineering. I have interviewed with MIT & Harvard University, Caltech, UPenn, and a few other programs.