What attracted you to the Seifert Scholars program?
I was attracted by the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time to research in the lab. With this program, I was able to focus fully on research with no worry or interference from other classes or programs.
What is your research?
My research works on Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that causes aspergillosis in patients with compromised immune systems and chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis. My main goal is trying to incorporate a transposon system from corn into aspergillus. This project will enable us to disrupt many genes all very quickly, generating thousands of mutant strains. By screening these mutants under various conditions, we can see what genes may be essential for aspergillus’s survival in that given condition.
What has been the impact of the Seifert Scholars on your career?
Seifert scholars has given me the time and opportunity to advance my research project substantially. It has also given me time to develop critical thinking skills as well as a deeper appreciation for research, especially medical research.
What is the next step of your career?
Following graduation I plan to attend medical school where I plan to study to be a surgeon as well as achieve a masters in health administration.