What does it mean to you to be selected as a Vivien Thomas Scholar?
To me, being selected as a Vivien Thomas Scholar means the chapters of my life that have come to define my character, morals, achievements, and dreams for the future are being actively encouraged to flourish. It is my absolute delight and excitement to take that opportunity and make a brilliant story from these next steps in my journey.
What influenced you to apply for the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative?
I had the chance to be a member of a similar cohort-based group at UMBC (The Meyerhoff Scholars Program), which fostered a sense of belonging amongst like-minded and altogether outstanding personalities. The Vivian Thomas Scholars felt like a natural continuation that would heavily influence my success in a graduate program.
Why did you want to pursue your PhD at Johns Hopkins?
Hopkins has had a notable impact in enhancing my education from early on. I’ve had Hopkins students visit my school since elementary to encourage an interest in STEM, all the way to a year-long high school experience where I got to have a first attempt at research. Certainly, the research and resources available were points of interest, but beyond just heightening my expertise, I saw, and still see, Hopkins as an opportunity to enhance the lives of others through its coexistence with the surrounding area.
What is your research focus?
While it is still being reshaped and defined by my rotation experiences, I currently have the intent to pursue a biomaterial and tissue focus. Primarily, this takes the form of nanomaterials that can be delivered for theragnostic benefits to tissue targets, particularly holding interest in the brain.
What led you to focus on this problem/topic?
I think one topic that has held a particular interest for me ever since learning about research was memory. The concept of how memories are formed and catalogued away, able to be recalled at a moment’s notice if remembered with enough clarity, something about that has such a draw for me. This led me on the path of thought that if memory can be understood — how it can be stripped away due to certain neurologic disorders — that there is much worth in pursuing research there. As for the modality, much of my research as an undergraduate was in developing nanomaterials, which I found intriguing as a multi-faceted research and treatment tool.
What are the broader impacts of your research?
Despite the topic itself, my research remains on the more translational side of things. By finding ways to target these neurologic disorders, more effective treatment modalities can be put into the clinical space.
How do you see your work and career evolving?
Through all the avenues available at Hopkins, and the resources that prepare one for any of those options, I genuinely do not think I could see a particular direction for my career at this time. To clarify, I don’t see that as a bad thing necessarily, only as an exciting prospect to experiment as much with my career choices as I do my research choices.
Are you involved (or planning to join) any clubs or organizations? Do you have any hobbies?
Currently, I am exploring the options available at Hopkins. I have attended the Biomedical Scholars Association (BSA) and Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) meetings to start off. I believe after I’ve come to familiarize myself with the social landscape at Hopkins, I can more specifically pursue my interests. I enjoy running and hiking, and I’ve heard and seen groups around both campuses for these hobbies. I also have a major interest in writing, though that might only become a more prominent part of my experience when I get a better hold on my scheduling.
