Hi there!
Thanks for stopping by my website!
TL;DR: I’m passionate about science and visual design, especially when I get to combine the two. I’m inspired by the awesome complexity of the brain, the endless beauty inherent in nature, and the exchange of ideas between fellow humans. Speaking of, let’s get in touch—shoot me a message below!
Long Version: I’m a Neuroscientist by training, currently conducting Systems Neuroscience research in Ed Callaway’s lab at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. I’m living in Southern California now but am a native Midwesterner from Cincinnati (Go Bengals!). I went to Duke for undergrad where I studied Neuroscience and Philosophy, profoundly moved by Big Existential Questions about what it means to be human and how the brain gives rise to who we are as individuals. With a growing love for bench research and continued fascination with neural correlates of cognition, after graduating I spent 2 years at the NIMH where I explored the role of cholinergic circuits underlying visual recognition memory. The joy and challenge I found in the scientific process led me to pursue a Ph.D. in the Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego. My thesis research in Ed Callaway’s lab at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies focused on elucidating complex circuits by which different types of neurons connect to one another and process visual information.
As I figure out what’s next, I’m leaning into my passion for creating visual art in both scientific and non-scientific contexts. In the past I dabbled in drawing and painting but ultimately transitioned to a primarily digital medium (having an “undo” button was a game-changer). While I’ll always enjoy a casual doodle, what I find most fulfilling is engaging with others to visually communicate complex ideas: that is, working on a team to create art with purpose. In my scientific career, I’ve learned the tremendous importance of being able to explain one’s research in an accessible way—what good is the science if it can’t be shared with (and understood by) the world? To this end, I aim to combine my scientific expertise with my love for graphic design to help scientists render abstract concepts into intuitive, compelling, and visually stunning figures that do justice to the science itself.
A few other things I enjoy, in no particular order: Trail running, EDM (prog house, techno, & trance), chilling with my cat Dharma, Negronis, South Park, anything glow-in-the-dark, horror movies, lavender lattes, sans serif fonts, capybaras, deep conversations, sour gummy worms, terrazzo patterns, Vine compilations, neutral color schemes, gourmand perfumes, NFL games, cacti, boba, comedy roasts, baggy t-shirts, the 😅 emoji, & signing off with “Cheers”.
Please have a look around, and send me an email if you’d like to get in touch! Cheers :)