- What is your role at BIAC and what does a typical day look like for you?
I’m a Clinical Research Coordinator and Laboratory Manager for Dr. Rajendra Morey’s lab, where we conduct studies investigating structural and functional brain changes related to TBI and PTSD. I oversee two of our studies, run study visits and conduct data processing and analyses. - You are currently a member of BIAC’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. What inspired you to get involved?
My conversations with study participants made me realize that we can be doing more to serve our community and to enable diverse populations to serve as more active contributors in clinical research. I firmly believe that scientific knowledge should be freely available, and that, specifically, knowledge derived from clinical research should serve to benefit all people. I hope that through the EDI Committee, we can contribute to free educational events and disseminate our research in our community and address barriers to research involvement in diverse populations. - Do you have a moment or experience when the need for improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in an academic or research setting felt especially urgent or important to you personally that you could share?
When I first started engaging with neuroimaging literature in undergrad, I noticed that many American neuroimaging studies were conducted on relatively homogenous samples. This made me question the generalizability of these results, and made it clear that we urgently need to address some of the practices in this field, whether they are intentional or unintentional. - What do you see as the top challenges and opportunities for BIAC over the next year?
I am excited by the challenges that accompany pursuing independent research projects here at BIAC. I am looking forward to presenting a poster at the Annual Neurotrauma Symposium in Austin, TX later this year. - Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope I will be a graduate student in a Clinical Neuropsychology Ph.D. program. - What’s something many people may not know about you?
In addition to my passion for neuroscience, I am also very passionate about the arts. I double majored in Neuroscience and Film Studies in undergrad, and I was a DJ at UNC’s college radio station, WXYC. - Any fun facts about yourself that you might want to share with us?
I love boxing -- I started boxing as a kid, and now I’m a volunteer coach for UNC’s boxing team. I can also chug an entire bottle of olive oil on command.