For as long as I can remember, I've been an inventor at heart. From putting together train tracks as an elementary schooler to creating a smart watch to help individuals with dementia locate lost items in high school, applying engineering and science to make a positive difference in the world around me has always driven me. Through my time in the Forty Acres Scholars Program, I have had the opportunity to explore my interest in engineering, science, and social impact to the fullest extent while working to make a meaningful difference on campus and beyond.

During my time at UT, I've had the opportunity to work on a variety of research projects in the Sakiyama-Elbert, Porter, and Bathe labs. Notably, I've worked to advance our understanding of the role of astrocytes in nerve injury, developed novel nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of gene therapies to the brain, and helped expand potential therapeutic options for patients with spinal cord injury. I am also the co-founder of Big & Mini, a mental health non-profit focused on connecting older adults and college students to create mutually beneficial connections. Through my work with Big & Mini, I have been able to connect over 10,000 individuals globally and been featured in over 50 publications, including the Today Show, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times. I've also been heavily involved in creating novel healthcare technologies for developing countries through my time in TEWH, directing projects aimed at creating low-cost microscopes, machine learning-based leukemia screening tools, and solar powered autoclaves. For this work, I have been fortunate to be the the recipient of the Gen2Gen Fellowship, Texas Edward S. Guleke Student Excellence Award, and Austin Inno 25 Under 25.

Looking forward, I hope to be a pioneer in the development of novel gene therapies to improve the quality of life for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. As a strong advocate for the importance of intergenerational connections, I also hope to continue my work developing accessible intergenerational connection and learning opportunities. After graduation, I'll be starting my Ph.D. in Bioengineering at Stanford University. Achieving these goals would not have been possible without the immense support of my fellow scholars, Forty Acres staff, and program donors who have helped me in my journey every step of the day and are a constant inspiration. I am forever grateful for this program and my time at UT and am looking forward to giving back to all those who have supported me in the future. Hook 'em forever!

Major 
Biomedical Engineering

Honors Program
Engineering Honors

Other Academic Interests
Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering, Machine Learning, Social Determinants of Health

Extracurricular Activities
Research in the Sakiyama-Elbert Lab, Research in the Porter Lab, Research in the Bathe Lab, Big & Mini, Texas Engineering World Health

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program (FASP)?
Beyond the financial freedom the Forty Acres Scholars Program provides, the biggest draw of the program was the tight-knit community it offered amidst UT’s large student body. Coming from a school environment where every face was a familiar one, the prospect of a class of 8,000 students was slightly intimidating. But from my very first interactions with my future cohort at Finalist Weekend, it became clear that my fellow scholars would soon become my family on campus. The program uniquely represents a microcosm of the university; we all come from diverse backgrounds and have different goals for our futures, yet our shared drive to improve upon the world around us binds us together. Beyond the community the Forty Acres Scholars Program creates, the connections it provides us is truly unparalleled. From dinners with prominent faculty to freshman dinner series featuring influential alumni, the program gives scholars networking opportunities beyond those of a traditional student. Not only will these interactions allow us to learn from those who have been successful within their respective fields, but they will also facilitate access to mentors who will be invaluable in helping us achieve our future goals. Essentially, the Forty Acres Scholars Program offers the complete package when it comes to a scholarship program; from providing us the resources we need to achieve our ambitions to giving us a close-knit community in a large campus, it is truly unmatched in opportunity.