About: I’m from Fairfield Pennsylvania, a small town about 15 minutes from Gettysburg. I grew up on the border of Maryland, so I have the best from both worlds. I’m in Dr. Andy Michel’s lab in the entomology department studying insect adaptation!
Research: Recently there has been an emerging type of soybean aphid which has overcome natural resistance genes found in soybean plants. My research explores the potential genetic and epigenetic causes of this new adaptation!
Get to know!
1. Do you have a favorite memory?
he fun part about life is that I always find a new favorite memory the more I experience! I feel like I have a lot of happy memories to look back on, but If I had to pick one, it would probably be the first time I met someone I was close to in real life. We had formed a close bond online playing games together, and had finally arranged to meet in person. It was an hour and a half drive to the airport, with much anticipation growing the whole way. I wasn’t sure if I would recognize him, what if I missed him? Then as we drove slowly along the arrivals, I spotted him. I was so excited, we rolled to a stop and I JUMPED out of the car. I started RUNNING over and called out, he started to gather his things, my shoes started slipping off on the way, and I jumped into a big hug as I reached him. I almost knocked him over! It felt right out of a movie. Even though this years ago and many things have changed, I still cherish the girlish, pure joy and excitement I had in the moment.
2. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
Tough. For style and aesthetic, definitely Dr. Facilier from Disney’s Princess and the Frog. For engagement and character depth, it’s a close tie between Homelander from The Boys or Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan.
3. What do you think would most impress your five year old self? Your 15 year old self?
My 5 year old self would be ecstatic that she did in fact live her dream of becoming a “bug doctor,” and go crazy over our Bug Zoo here in Wooster. My 15 year old self would be so proud of how far we’ve come, how much we’ve flourished, and amazed at all the fantastic people I get to call my friends. She would also be super excited we finally got some awesome tattoos!
