I'm a first generation American and I’m passionate about diverse learning environments, learning about other people's struggles, and emphasizing social justice in underserved communities like Flint, MI. I'm looking for opportunities that include or combine my passions for neuroscience, medicine, and social justice.
Latest Projects
● Production of a new series of ligands with potential to act as water remediators
In this Flint water crisis-inspired and green chemistry research project, a group of high schoolers, including me, created a molecule that binds to other molecules, called a ligand, capable of removing harmful substances from tainted water. We worked with Mark Benvenuto, Ph.D. at the University of Detroit Mercy to uphold the principles of green chemistry by creating a ligand that is cheap, easy-to-use, and environmentally-friendly. Our goal was to positively impact Michiganders affected by the Flint water crisis.
The poster below showcases our findings.
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Our research showed that if our ligand could pull metal ions into a nonpolar solution called monoglyme, it should be able to pull metal ions out of aqueous solution. I received the 2017 American Chemical Society Ciba Travel Grant in Green Chemistry as the first high schooler recipient. This grant covers the costs for me to attend the American Chemical Society National Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Also, my abstract was accepted into the Sci-Mix and Division of Environmental Chemistry poster sessions. The Sci-Mix poster session consists of abstracts selected by division program chairs and represents the most exceptional abstracts submitted to participating divisions.
Our research will be published in Green Chemistry Education: Recent Developments.
Additional information: My group and I also presented at the ACS Central Regional Conference in Dearborn, Michigan as the only high school group. Click here to view our abstract from the conference.
The poster below showcases our findings.
● Controlling gene expression in an in-vivo model organism
I received a full-tuition scholarship and conducted extensive, ten-day, graduate-level developmental neuroscience research with a group of high schoolers. I collaborated with the scientific community, including predecessors in the program, to present research and publish data. We conducted our research at Coastal Marine Biolabs through the NeuroLab Program, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health, and we were supervised by Ralph Imondi, Ph.D. and Linda Santschi, Ph.D.
● Role of the microRNA-183/96/182 cluster in pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced keratitis
I worked with others to examine the role of microRNA in bacterial keratitis. MicroRNA is a newly-acknowledged level of gene expression regulation and bacterial keratitis is a corneal infection caused by bacteria commonly affecting contact-lens wearers. We specifically examined pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced keratitis, which causes blindness and visual disabilities. We focused on the role of the microRNA-183/96/182 cluster and ways in which it helps regulate the innate immune response to pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced keratitis infection. We also examined the potential of the anti-microRNAs, which are found in the cluster knockdown, to shield the cornea from unfavorable effects of the disease. Our research is aimed to identify new treatment strategies and therapeutic targets for the disease and other antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and tumors that bypass the immune system.
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I helped conduct this immunology-focused research in Shunbin Xu’s, M.D., Ph.D. laboratory at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. I emailed several hundred professors about research positions that interested me. I didn’t receive many responses, but I eventually chose Dr. Xu’s laboratory. because of my interest in bacterial keratitis.
● Resistance of active ingredients to water with calcium hypochlorite
In this collaborative research project, we investigated which active ingredient would yield the most resistance to water with calcium hypochlorite, which is added to pools. Throughout the research assignment we were required to create our own procedure without any teacher guidance. The following poster showcases our findings.
● Opioids i-Search Project
In this collaborative i-Search Project, my group and I researched the cause of the opioid epidemic and effects of opioids in general. Through our i-Search, we were able to learn more about the importance of proper physician training and long-term effects of opioids. Click here to go to our i-Search Project.
● Autism Spectrum Disorder i-Search Project
In this collaborative i-Search Project, my group and I researched the risk factors and treatments of autism. Through our i-Search, we were able to learn more about the relationship between the disease and hazardous environments and old drugs. Click here to go to our i-Search Project.
● The Effect of Leaf Color on Rate of Photosynthesis AP Biology Research
As a group, we investigated how leaf color affects the rate of photosynthesis. Throughout the research assignment we were required to create our own procedure without any teacher guidance. We used different leaves, carbon dioxide probes, and Logger Pro to graph our results. The following poster showcases our findings. Find more information on our website.
● Exponential Logistic Models AP Biology Project
I created a math model using various equations in order to show populations with exponential growth and logistic growth. Through this project I was able to see how different models affect populations.
● Hardy-Weinberg Math Model AP Biology Project
I created a math model using several equations in order to show a population in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and another that is not in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. The second population has been reduced to show a population that is not compliant with the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. Through this project I was able to discover how Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium affects a population.
● Effects of Seed Size on Germination and Fertilizer Type on Plant Growth AP Biology Research
Prior to the experiment, we were given pumpkin and tomato seeds from our awesome teacher, Mrs. Speirs. During the experiment, we investigated how seed size affects the germination rate and how the type of fertilizer affects growth. Below is our science poster explaining our findings.
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