With the Cooperstone Lab, I am designing and executing a research project investigating the inducibility of tomato steroidal glycoalkaloids via mechanically wounding tomato fruits. I am examining the response across a variety of ancestral and modern cultivars, which have been selected for their different levels of naturally occurring alkaloids.

In addition to conducting and assisting with greenhouse and lab experiments, I participate in lab meetings and attend relevant conferences, such as the Metabolomics Association of America conference in October of 2021.

While interning with the Genome Editing Group within Corteva Agriscience, I assessed the specificity of a proprietary nuclease as compared to the current industry standard. Throughout my project, I completed laboratory work including DNA preparation, yeast transformation, and yeast library screening. I collected, organized, and analyzed the data; upon completion of the project, I delivered a presentation summarizing the results to the group.

As an intern at Matrix Meats, I worked to develop new synthetic and natural polymer formulations for electrospun nanomaterials for applications in cellular agriculture. I was part of a very small team and therefore took on a variety of responsibilities and provided input into the direction of future experiments. We tailored our scaffolds to the needs of clients such as WildType, Aleph Farms, and Higher Steaks.

At Ikove Capital, I performed market research for a wide range of novel technologies to evaluate TAM/ SAM/ SOM, identify early adopters, reveal the competitive landscape, and validate the technology. Additionally, interns were tasked with presenting a thesis project in which we connected with promising startups pursuing new technology. I used this opportunity to research novel synthetic biology approaches to purifying oil and improving the efficiency of the canola industry.

On the leadership council for E&I Scholars, I conducted outreach and coordinated valuable learning experiences for the scholars program, worked as part of a team to facilitate the growth of E&I Scholars, investigated member engagement, and directed 1-on-1 meetings to increase participant satisfaction. My role allowed me to have direct involvement with the entrepreneurs of Columbus and Ohio State.

As a crew member at SCC, I worked on a small team of passionate, driven people who care deeply about conserving nature and improving its accessibility. We completed historical preservation projects, rerouted trails such as the famous Continental Divide Trail, and built new trails such as an ADA-accessible waterfront path in Alma, CO. As someone intending to pursue a more lab-based career in the life sciences, I feel that this experience was critical for showing me the larger, ecological picture. Serving with the Southwest Conservation Corps taught me both how and why to do my best work.

At CWRU, I executed experiments involving CRISPR, gel electrophoresis, PCR, mouse breeding, and embryo dissection. I regularly attended journal club meetings and presented a paper in front of the group. As an additional project, I modified and manufactured a 3D-printed bioreactor to assist organoid development in cell cultures.

I assisted in compiling tissue samples for a 1,000-piece FDA report. Additionally, I executed and learned about experiments including SDS page gel electrophoresis, magnetic gene tagging, and mouse dissection.

At Western Reserve Academy, under Dr. Aguilar, I investigated the possibility of vaccination against alpha-fetoprotein receptors to prevent breast cancer. In a separate project, I examined the tumor-shrinking properties of Pontea agglomerans on breast cancer cultures. Duties outside of research included instructing younger students on lab techniques such as pipetting, cancer cell culture, cryopreservation, and subculturing.