Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
Undergraduate: Georgia State University
Can you tell me a little about yourself before you came to Drexel?
When I was younger I moved around a lot but ended up spending most of my teenage life in Marietta, GA. I attended Georgia State University for my Bachelor’s in Chemistry. Once I graduated I moved to Virginia for a job in pharmaceuticals and after a few years in the work force I realized that I needed to head back to school to pursue a career in medicine. In my spare time you can find me running, messing around with my 3D printer or watching soccer.
When did you know that you wanted to go into medicine?
Growing up I always enjoyed science so I pursued a degree in chemistry and ended up working in pharmaceuticals. I enjoyed the job though I felt like there was something missing so I quit and got a job working in the Cardiac ICU during the peak of the COVID pandemic. It was a real eye opening experience seeing how the health care field was during the pandemic. Seeing how the Doctors and other health care professionals dealt with the normal aspects of their jobs while dealing with COVID was inspirational for me. Even with the added pressure from COVID I really enjoyed working in health care and that’s when I knew that I had to pursue a career in the field.
Why did you choose to apply to Drexel’s Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) program?
When I was looking to increase my competitiveness for medical school I wanted a program that was structured, allowed me to get involved with the community and allow me to pursue my interests. Drexel’s IHS program checked all those boxes.
The advisors and faculty here are always willing to help. Reaching them is very easy - they’re all just one email away. Having the advisors give you advice based on your personal goals has been a massive help in figuring out what needs to get done. Being able to tailor my schedule to what I enjoy and having research/volunteer experiences built into the program was a huge draw for me.
How is the program going so far?
The course work was challenging at first since it had been a few years since I was in school but the support from my classmates and faculty helped me overcome those difficulties. In this one year I have managed to learn how to be a better student and will be able to tackle my second year head on. During this one year I’ve become friends with so many people and know that these friendships will continue after we have all graduated from this program.
Have you been involved with any organizations or in any community service experiences since entering the program?
In my first semester here at Drexel I managed to start an organization called Dragon Claws with a second year IHS student. The focus of the organization is to provide 3D printed prosthetics to children from low income households, mostly aiming for households in the Philadelphia area. Besides printing off prosthetics our club aims to inspire the youth into pursuing a STEM related field by giving presentations at local schools. This past spring we had the pleasure of presenting our club and all its work at Explore and Serve Day.
I wanted to get more involved with the Drexel community so I ran for Vice President of our Graduate Student Association and won. This fall I hope to be involved in the Mentor-Mentee program as well to help out the incoming students with any issues they may have.
Can you tell me about any research you have been doing?
Currently I am doing research in the Detloff lab, which is in the Neurobiology and Anatomy in Drexel’s College of Medicine. The lab studies how injury and rehabilitative exercise regulates pain and sensorimotor function following a spinal cord injury.
What are you planning to do after you graduate?
Once I graduate, I plan on applying to medical school in the 2025-2026 cycle. While I wait to hear back I plan on working in either research or health care, and to continue volunteering in my spare time.
What advice do you have for students who are considering coming to Drexel’s IHS program?
My advice for anyone considering IHS is to make sure that the program aligns with your goals. Once you’re here be ready to work hard because you get what you put into the program. Also don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether it’s faculty or the friends you’ve made. In just one year I’ve managed to accomplish so much and I still have another year to go. If you’re looking to push yourself academically and reach your goals then Drexel IHS is the place for you.