Thoughts of a 20 Something Year Old

Ever pause just to wonder? I do, all the time. I wonder how I’ll ever choose just one passion when I have so many deep interests. How can I possibly pick one path to pursue?

I wonder what life would have looked like if I had taken a different turn when the road divided. I wonder why life isn’t linear and how we’re supposed to make forward-looking plans when nothing is ever truly certain.

But along the way, I’ve noticed one constant: everything is perspective.

The illusion of having it all together, of being perfect, is just that, an illusion. Growth doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from struggle, from taking risks, and from stepping outside our comfort zone.

No one is going to force us to chase our dreams or figure out what we truly want from life. It’s up to us to take gradual steps in the right direction, leaning in and resisting the fear that we’re missing out on something better.

Choose a growth mindset.

Don’t waste time overthinking the image you’re creating for the world. Instead, focus on being genuine. The people who are meant to stay will respect your authenticity, and those who don’t were never meant to.

Life is a collection of moments and experiences that shape who we are becoming. So with every decision I make, I think of my future self. Would she be proud of the person I am becoming?

Over time, I’ve come to see the power of community and mentorship. There is wisdom in seeking guidance from those we admire, from the people whose lives reflect the kind of person we hope to grow into. We’re all walking different paths, but with the help of others, we can find our first steps and clarify our priorities.

I’ve learned to follow my curiosities and embrace the life of a lifelong learner. There’s so much to gain from our younger selves, especially the reminder to live a life full of color and creativity, not one dulled by fear or conformity.

We are given passions for a reason. Pursue them. And understand that those passions might change, because we will change.

Being happy and kind is a choice.

We won’t feel content until we give ourselves the grace to pause, look back, and appreciate all we’ve overcome just to arrive at this moment.

So I try to enjoy the journey and learn from it. I have no regrets, because every decision I’ve made has shaped who I am today. I carry with me a lifetime of stories.

I’m far from perfect, but I am content. I’m not pretending to have everything figured out. Instead, I’m open, open to life’s lessons and to the people I meet along the way. I’m excited to learn their stories as I write my own.

I am, now and always, living the dream.

The odds of any of us being alive, exactly as we are in this moment, are one in 400 trillion. So why not live fully, embrace our uniqueness, and appreciate the simple gift of being alive?

Say yes when opportunity presents itself.

Don’t let fear or insecurity hold you back.

Be the change you want to see, and never try to be a version of yourself that you’re not.

Living My Four-Year-Old Self’s Dream

Whether working to solve a herring gull botulism outbreak in England, diving alongside great white sharks in South Africa, or fending off the playful trunks of elephants eager for another sugar cane treat in Thailand, I have always been in awe of the animal-human bond. Paired with my energetic personality and love for people, veterinary medicine has always felt like a natural fit, and evolved into a lifelong dream. After years of experiences in veterinary clinics, research, and diverse animal settings, my admiration for the vital role veterinarians play in society has deepened, further committing me to this profession.

In high school, a research project led me to interview a veterinarian, but our conversation was cut short when a puppy with parvovirus needed immediate care. I admired the doctor’s calm demeanor, technical expertise, and compassion in such a high-pressure situation. In that moment, I thought, “That will be me.” Although veterinary medicine has always been my dream career, this experience confirmed that it was more than just a childhood aspiration.

Fast forward to my time at the University of Michigan where I recognized research as a powerful avenue, contributing directly to the field. Working in the Duffy Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Meghan A. Duffy, Ph.D., I gained valuable experiences and the opportunity to co-author four publications while assisting doctoral researchers on projects related to epidemiology, animal behavior, and climate change. Recognizing that veterinarians are stewards of antibiotic efficacy, I crafted an honors thesis that focused on expanding the animal-human concept and how human activities contribute to antibiotic resistance. The critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills developed seamlessly translate into clinical practice.

These skills and experiences naturally align with the diagnostic approach of veterinary medicine, where each case involves identifying the root cause and crafting a treatment plan, much like forming a hypothesis and deriving results in research. For example, while working as a veterinary technician, I encountered a case where a dog presented with lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss, symptoms that pointed to several potential causes. I observed and assisted the veterinarian as she performed diagnostics, ruling out differentials, and ultimately diagnosing Addison’s disease. She clearly communicated with empathy the diagnosis and lifelong treatment plan. Cases like this reinforced in me that beyond clinical care, I deeply value the relationships between veterinarians and clients, built on trust, shared knowledge, and a mutual commitment to the animal’s well-being. These meaningful interactions inspire me to become a trusted veterinarian who clients can rely on during their most vulnerable moments.

Through my unique clinical experiences, from general practice to equine surgery and wildlife care, I’ve had the privilege to witness the versatility of veterinary medicine, all unified by deep compassion for both clients and patients. My hands-on experience has given me the joy in sharing life-saving moments and the overwhelming sadness of final goodbyes. One of my first emergency cases involved a dog hit by a car, unresponsive upon arrival. Despite the urgency in this case, the doctor remained calm and focused. His advice that “rushing may result in life threatening mistakes” has left with me a permanent impression and valuable lesson. On the other hand, witnessing my first unanticipated euthanasia, where a Labrador Retriever's airway was obstructed by a tumor, was a moment of deep reflection. I felt a pang of guilt, pondering if more could have been done, despite knowing it was a humane decision. I have accepted that uncertainty is a constant in veterinary practice, and it’s this unpredictability that makes each day so meaningful.

My life has revolved around stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing boundaries, whether traveling to 35 countries, participating in adrenaline-fueled activities, or giving back to my community through philanthropy. I seek a program that will allow me to continue this bold mindset with freedom to ask tough questions, take calculated risks, and the ability to challenge the status quo, resulting in meaningful contributions to this field. My mentors have shared with me the value of a lifelong relationship with a university, and I plan to build a similar legacy. Practicing veterinary medicine has never been a question of "if" but "when," and I’m ready to take that next step to fulfill my lifelong dream.

Give Trip to Thailand - 2024

The moment I arrived in Thailand it all felt surreal to me, and upon leaving this feeling transitioned to surreal my time in Thailand was abruptly coming to an end. In the beginning I would describe the trip by the larger milestones such as getting advanced scuba certified, going rock climbing, and learning about Thai culture, yet in hindsight I recognize all the tiny moments that made the trip so transformative. Snapshots such as removing the commercial fishing net from the coral reefs focusing on our buoyancy with such care not to injure the coral, or getting elbow deep in mud to help plant mangrove trees through a rainstorm, or the laughs of the grade school students as they embraced the present. No matter if I was covered in dirt from a soccer game with local kids or soaked from river water after bathing elephants, my smile never wavered. Moments like those are what last a lifetime. It is not the temporary sickness or the lost baggage, or missed flights that matter in the end, it is the feelings of pure happiness that only selflessness can offer. A deep understanding that the world goes well beyond any singular person, and we are all collectively inhabitants of the earth. It is so humbling. With that scope all our earthly problems and insecurities seem to melt away because suddenly they are not that important.

I was nervous going to a foreign country outside the bubble I find myself in most of the time, but after getting to know the Thai school kids who informed me how dangerous America seems to them my perspective completely shifted. I gave one of the little girl's my bracelet and told her not to fear the world because there is good and bad everywhere so why not just live in the moment, soaking it all up. Fear is a mindset, from diving the underwater world to traversing the globe there are a lot of worse case scenarios but why focus on them when all they do is hold us back. Just smile and radiate positivity and everything else will work out as it should. The good and the bad we are so blessed with this life we have been so graciously given. Honestly, I know I needed to hear that just as much as she did. I will never forget the way she turned to me and said she will keep the bracelet for as long as she lives to remind her of me. That moment I felt numb to pain, worry, doubt. Nothing else mattered.

The sense of community we surround ourselves with has immense impacts on our development, and this group of volunteers I spent the last few weeks with taught me a lot more about myself and the life I will always strive for. Everyone has a story to tell and wisdom to offer, I just needed to take the time to listen, appreciate, and for introspection. We are all so caught up in chasing success, recognition, and fulfillment we forget to reflect on how far we have come. This trip taught me to slow down and enjoy the fleeting moments. I never thought I would find peace painting a door, digging a trench, or cleaning up trash, yet despite my humbling appearance, I was content. I even got to learn about and take care of elephants, such beautiful, intelligent giants. I was connected to the natural world, felt deep connections with new friends, and was getting out of my comfort zone.

These experiences, little moments, last long beyond the trip. It causes a shift of the mind and in turn a shift in lifestyle. I overall respect myself, the environment, and other people more because of this trip. I can confidently say - “this was a trip of a lifetime” is an understatement, and I hope it is not because I hope to fill my life with many more experiences like these. With a full heart, bright smile, and clear mind I know I am right where I am supposed to be.

Why Research?

My journey into research began with childlike wonder. As a five-year-old, I remember peering through a microscope for the first time, captivated by the intricate patterns and hidden beauty of the natural world. That moment sparked a lasting curiosity about how life works and a desire to understand the systems that sustain it.

In college, while working as a veterinary technician, I started noticing a concerning trend. More and more animals were presenting with antibiotic-resistant infections. These real-world cases made me ask deeper questions about where resistance begins and how we can prevent it. I brought these questions back to the lab and shaped them into my honors thesis, studying environmental contributors to antibiotic resistance using Daphnia microbiomes. Through this research, I saw how science could bridge the gap between clinical challenges and practical solutions.

This was where I found my passion for translational research. I realized I am most fulfilled when I use science not only to understand the world but to improve it. In biotech and pharmaceutical research, I see the opportunity to do just that. It is a field where innovation and healing meet, where treatments are developed not in isolation but with the hope of touching millions of lives. Whether through targeted therapies, novel diagnostics, or drug development, this work has profound medical relevance.

I want to be part of the stories where science brings healing, where a breakthrough in a lab becomes the reason someone gets more time with the people they love. I want to be someone who helps restore hope, brings relief, and makes the future a little brighter for those waiting on answers. Even if no one ever knows my name, I want to be a quiet hero in someone else’s story.

Now, as a recent graduate, I am ready to pursue a lifelong journey of learning, discovery, and impact. I believe that science, when paired with compassion and purpose, can help change the world, and I am committed to being part of that change.