Majors: Biochemistry, French
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Gretna, NE
Why did you select your majors and minor?
I chose to double major in Biochemistry and French due to my passions within each subject field. Coming into college my freshman year, I had no idea what I wanted to study. It wasn’t until I took French 201 with Dr. Catherine Johnson and CHEM109 with Dr. Kautz that I realized I couldn’t choose between the two and had to pursue both science and a foreign language.
Favorite course from your programs?
My favorite course I’ve ever taken was the organic chemistry series with Dr. Vickrey. The classes of Orgo1 and Orgo2 greatly prepared me to take courses within my major of biochemistry and ignited a newfound passion for chemistry itself.
Who have been some of your strongest mentors or role models here?
My strongest mentors throughout my undergraduate career have been Tyrell Rossman, a graduate student in the Biochemistry Department within my lab who guided me through my senior honors thesis and Dr. Jordan Stump who has grealy shown me the power of language translation within various academic fields.
Research experience
I worked in Dr. Becker’s lab at the Biochemistry Department for about two and a half years studying Proline Utilization A (PutA) and this protein’s applications towards biomedical diseases such as cancer when analyzing proline catabolism. I completed my senior honors thesis based on my research from the Becker Lab and presented my findings at the 2025 ASBMB Chicago National Conference in April.
Have you studied abroad?
I studied abroad in Angers, France during the summer of 2023. This experience was incredible as I attended a foreign language international institute and lived with a host family while abroad. I not only learned valuable takeaways about the language but also connected with students from around the world who I’m still in contact with today!
What were you involved in?
On campus, I was involved in the French Club as the Vice President, the Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board, Phi Mu, and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. Off campus, I was involved in the Girl Scout Gold Award Committee and the Girl Scout Development Board.
Plans after graduation?
I plan to attend the University of Nebraska-Medical Center, pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Science, concentrating in Cancer Research and hope to eventually go abroad to conduct research as well!
