CV

PhD in Microbiology

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Expected May 2028. Dissertation: "Microbial threats in tidal floodwaters: pathways, persistence, and public health implications."

BS in Microbiology

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

GPA: 3.8 / 4.0

Data Science Intern

Physiology & Pathology of Tree Fruits Research, USDA-ARS, Wenatchee, WA

• Built a reproducible RNA-seq pipeline (Nextflow / GEMmaker) on HPC (SLURM) for comparative transcriptomic analysis of two soilborne crop pathosystems.
• Applied differential expression (edgeR / DESeq2) and comparative genomics (PlantTribes2) to identify conserved and divergent host responses to infection across species.
• Managed version-controlled workflows and documentation in GitLab and Jupyter to support reproducibility and team collaboration.

Graduate Research Assistant

Harris Research Group, NC State University

• Optimized advanced molecular methods, including three ddPCR microbial source tracking assays and a culture-based approach for detecting antibiotic resistance genes in environmental water samples, enhancing detection efficiency and accuracy.
• Process 142 floodwater samples for microbial contamination and antimicrobial resistance using filtration, IDEXX, quantitative PCR, and MinION sequencing.
• Developed Python pipelines for microbial source tracking data, standardizing analysis and boosting lab efficiency.

Lab Manager / Faculty Assistant

Lamp Lab, Entomology Department, University of Maryland

• Supervised and mentored a team of 12 students (3 high school, 6 undergraduate, 3 graduate), providing training and oversight to ensure high-quality research and skill development.
• Managed lab activities and conducted fieldwork for a multi-state agricultural biodiversity project, including regional travel to support data collection and collaboration.
• Designed and implemented lab organizational systems to improve workflows, maintain safety compliance with EHS standards, and support daily operations.

Research Intern

Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Lab, USDA Agricultural Research Service

• Performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to study Blastocystis parasites in livestock manure samples.
• Prepared DNA libraries, performed sequencing with QIAxcel and Illumina MiSeq, and analyzed subspecies diversity data.

Student Researcher

Water Quality, Outreach, and Wellness Lab, University of Maryland

• Conducted water quality testing in underserved communities, identifying pathogens including E. coli and MRSA; findings presented at two research symposiums.

Laboratory Technician

Plant Diagnostic Lab, University of Maryland

• Applied molecular techniques to detect Oak Wilt pathogen in a statewide survey; supported lab efficiency through inventory and workflow management.

Goodnight Graduate Fellowship ($40,000)

NC State University

University Graduate Fellowship ($4,000)

NC State University

NCSU Envisioning Research Contest, 1st Place

Graduate Student / Postdoc Photography Category

Sigma Alpha Omicron Microbiology Honor Society

University of Maryland

President's List & Dean's List

University of Maryland

President's List: Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020. Dean's List: Spring 2021 – Spring 2023.

Water Quality Field & Lab Coordinator

Sunny Day Flooding Project

• Coordinated volunteers, logistics, and supplies for 10 tidal floodwater sampling campaigns across 10 sites in Carolina Beach, NC, supporting efficient field execution and sample collection.
• Led lab processing and data analysis, providing local officials with actionable insights on bacterial contamination from recurrent sunny-day floods.

DNA Barcoding Module Instructor

University of Maryland, Freshwater Biology (upper-level)

• Taught a 6-week module in an upper-level biology course (Freshwater Biology) on DNA barcoding techniques and their applications in ecology.

Designated Supervisor, STEM Research Project

Prince George's County Public Schools Science and Technology Program

• Designed and led a STEM research project for two high school students, guiding them through a five-chapter paper and the successful publication of 15 COI gene sequences to NCBI GenBank.

Vice President & Faculty Representative

Microbiology Graduate Student Association, NC State University

• Vice President (2025–2026)
• Faculty Representative (2025–2027)

Member, Sierra Leone Water Team

Engineers Without Borders, NC State University

Support fundraising and grant writing efforts.

Member

UMD Entomology Department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group