I am an incoming (first-year) Biological Sciences Ph.D. student at Purdue University, with a B.S. (Honors) in Chemistry and a minor in Biology from Howard University. My research interests are at the intersection of computational, protein and cancer biology. In my undergraduate research at Dr. Sung Joon Kim’s Biophysics Lab at Howard, I used data visualizations to show the effect of the antibiotic daptomycin on the cell wall of E. faecalis, a common human pathogen (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39486-8). In another project, which became the focus of my Honors research, our group synthesized solid lipid nanoparticles (similar to the lipid nanoparticles used in COVID mRNA vaccines) from fatty acids of varying chain lengths, and I used Python to analyze and visualize the impact of chain length on the physicochemical properties of the particles. My goal is to advance new computational methods for cancer treatment. In addition to STEM, I’m also an avid fan of foreign languages, listening to podcasts, and nature photography.

What are you most proud of in your work or life?

Marrying my wife; I’m also grateful for the opportunity each day presents, to align my life more closely with my ideals and personal values.

What are your passions and hobbies?

Foreign languages, listening to podcasts, nature photography, spending time with my family and friends.

Favorite snack food?

Brownies, Chocolate chip cookies