Tell us a little about where you’re from, your background, where and what you studied as an undergraduate.

I grew up in Denver, Colorado. I started playing flute in elementary school and later attended Denver School of the Arts with the goal of becoming a professional musician. In middle and high school, I spent much of my free time playing in the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and other local ensembles. My plans changed drastically after the unexpected death of my father forced me to realize how little we really know about our own biology, specifically how the brain functions and how that sensitive biology can go awry. I started focusing a little more on science and math, a little less on music, and earned a spot at MIT as an undergraduate, where I studied brain and cognitive science and biology, eager to make new connections between these fields.

What brought you to veterinary school, and what do you want to do with your degree?

Like many of my fellow vet students, I wanted to be an "animal doctor" before I could say the word veterinarian. Of course, I also wanted to be a ballerina and an astronaut around the same time, and neither of those dreams panned out. As an undergraduate, my initial plan was to pursue an MD/PhD and work as a physician scientist. However, I rediscovered my veterinary dream while working with non-human primates in a neurophysiology lab at MIT. My passion for research and developing a better understanding of disease continues, and I plan on specializing in lab animal medicine, doing some of my own research while providing support for other research scientists.

When you’re not studying or in school, how do you like to spend your time?

Music continues to play an important role in my life, though during vet school I usually only perform for myself, my dog, and very rarely, my boyfriend. I hope to join an amateur ensemble once I begin my residency program this summer. I also enjoy running, expanding my non-veterinary knowledge (the life and art of Van Gogh has been my most recent obsession), reading, and catching up with old friends over local microbrews.

Tell us something about yourself that otherwise we wouldn’t know or guess.

I've been a sci-fi and fantasy nerd as long as I can remember. In high school, I would routinely dress up as a movie character to attend the first showings of the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings movies. If I hadn't been on call for the Hobbit's premier this year, I would have been in line in the cold, dressed as Galadriel. Again.

What one tip would you give to students who will be participating in the summer research program this year?

You will be frustrated at some point during your project -- Murphy's law rules the lab, and it's often the easy, simple things that don't work. Don't worry! This happens to everyone. Figuring out these little problems is often when the most important results of your project are discovered. Sometimes there are fascinating, scientific reasons why things aren't going as you expected.