…pursuing a career in the genetics field. As a second-generation immigrant and first-generation college student I am elated to be able to explore and grow in my academic journey.

Understanding the endless functionality and evolution of human genetics is something I find deeply fascinating and is one of the main factors that drove my decision to change my career path from Illustration to Science.

It is an honor to get the opportunity to explore unknown spaces, such as the inner workings of Ancient DNA studied here in Dr. Massilani’s lab.

My experience working in the lab has taught me to find the silver lining in even the most difficult situations and this newfound perseverance will help me find success in all my pursuits.

It is a word that has allowed me to not only pester my parents with impossible questions as a kid but also dive deep into the world of scientific discovery. I think my favorite why and the why that got me interested in human evolution was “Why are we who we are?”

Through researching ancient DNA and archaic human populations, I have begun to take a stab at this question. But more so, I am learning how to be a researcher, a lab member, and a scientist, as this is my first time in a scientific research environment.

Working in the lab has been an invaluable experience, enabling me to learn more about not only genetics and evolutionary biology but humanity and our story.

… I have been curious about the human experience – unique to everyone yet shared by many. This led me to pursue various avenues of research on the forces that shape it.

I am particularly fascinated by the vast amount of information preserved within the human skeleton. In its nature, bone is a direct window into the person’s life journey and the evolutionary journey of humankind.

In my research, I utilize molecular and osteological methods to study disease, pathogen evolution and the effects of historical epidemics on human immunity. I also have been active in forensic anthropology, focusing on sex estimation methods and skeletal development.

emerged from a passion for genealogy. Where the historical record ends, biological information from our genomes can be used in its place, helping us learn more about our ancient connections and distant relations all throughout life’s family tree.

I am passionate about research in the areas of human genetics and genomics, evolutionary biology, and co-evolutionary processes between humans and other organisms that may have influenced contemporary genetic variation.