Experience

Ph.D., Biological Sciences

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

B.S., Honors Biochemistry and Cellular/Molecular Biology

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville · GPA 3.93/4.0

• Chancellor’s Honors Scholar
• Thesis: “DOPC/DOPE-dependent Effects on Lipid Nanoparticle Stability, Encapsulation, Cytotoxicity, and Cellular Uptake” (PI: Dr. Deidra Mountain)

Undergraduate Researcher

Vascular Research Laboratory, UT Graduate School of Medicine · PI: Dr. Deidra Mountain

• Synthesized lipid nanoparticles with varying concentrations of DOPE as a substitute for conventional helper lipids, evaluating the effect of phospholipid choice on encapsulation efficiency.
• Performed DLS and polydispersity index analysis to assess nanoparticle homogeneity, size stability, and batch reproducibility.
• Conducted in vitro cytotoxicity assays across formulations, isolating lipid-dependent effects on cell viability.
• Quantified uptake of fluorescently labeled LNPs, testing the contribution of DOPE’s cone-shaped, fusogenic geometry to endosomal escape against the stabilizing cylindrical structure of DSPC.
• Reviewed structure–function relationships among LNP components — ionizable lipids, cholesterol, PEG-lipids, and helper phospholipids — in RNA delivery systems for vaccines and gene therapies.

Undergraduate Study, Molecular Oncology Literature Analysis

Department of Biochemistry, UT Knoxville · Mentor: Dr. Jacob Sanders

• Conducted a systematic literature analysis of natural product–derived cancer therapeutics, centered on the flavonoid wogonoside from Scutellaria baicalensis and its derivatives.
• Evaluated preclinical evidence for wogonoside’s suppression of tumor angiogenesis and metastatic signaling via Hedgehog and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, VEGF downregulation, and Smoothened receptor degradation.

Research Assistant

Best Organic Synthesis Lab, Department of Chemistry, UT Knoxville · PI: Dr. Jinchao Lou

• Carried out structure–function-focused synthesis of lipid-based biomolecules supporting drug delivery and lipid-probe development.
• Designed and executed multi-step organic syntheses under inert atmosphere using Schlenk line operation, acid–base extraction, flash column and thin-layer chromatography, and fractional crystallization.
• Characterized products by ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and GC-MS, correlating spectroscopic data to structural integrity and purity.

Research Assistant

McKinney Lab, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UT Knoxville · PI: Dr. Benjamin Keck

• Surveyed local streams and rivers, collecting fish species data for the Etnier Ichthyological Collection.

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Cellular and Comparative Biology Lab

Department of Biochemistry and Cellular/Molecular Biology, UT Knoxville · Instructor: Dr. Olena Korotych

• Supported students through advanced laboratory modules covering protein purification, plasmid DNA isolation, PCR, restriction digests, and gel electrophoresis.
• Assisted with demonstrations and data collection on research instrumentation including UV-Vis, mass photometry, MALDI-TOF, ITC, and circular dichroism.

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Biological Investigation Lab

Department of Biology, UT Knoxville

• Prepared reagents and experimental materials for weekly laboratory sessions.
• Instructed students in sterile inoculation, microscopy, and data collection.
• Reinforced biosafety, experimental design, and record-keeping practices supporting reproducibility.

Resident Assistant

Department of University Housing, UT Knoxville

• Built residential community for 36 assigned residents using the Community Development Model, supporting academic success and well-being.
• Developed programming encouraging reflection on values, ethics, and identity.
• Managed occupancy reports, health and safety inspections, incident reports, and emergency drills.

Operations Team Lead

Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark, Pigeon Forge, TN

• Supervise daily operations for a staff of 275+, coordinating scheduling, coverage, and compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Maintain training certification, incident, and compliance records meeting OSHA and company requirements.
• Assist in annual recruitment, onboarding, and licensing of new and returning staff.
• Serve as division lead during operating hours and primary first responder, directing implementation of emergency action plans.

DOPC/DOPE-dependent Effects on Lipid Nanoparticle Stability, Encapsulation, Cytotoxicity, and Cellular Uptake

Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA), Knoxville, TN

DOPC/DOPE-dependent Effects on Lipid Nanoparticle Stability, Encapsulation, Cytotoxicity, and Cellular Uptake

Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium (ASUReS), Knoxville, TN

Perceived Academic Stereotypes vs. Performance

Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA), Knoxville, TN

Compared perceived stereotypes across undergraduate programs against academic performance. Registrar data showed no significant GPA differences between programs, challenging the stereotypes and pointing toward further investigation.

SDS-PAGE; agarose gel electrophoresis; DNA and plasmid isolation; PCR; isothermal titration calorimetry; MALDI-TOF; circular dichroism; differential and gradient centrifugation.

Mammalian and bacterial cell culture (BL21[DE3], HASMC); fluorescence microscopy; BSL-2 practice; colony transformation, inoculation, and isolation.

GC-MS; cyclic voltammetry (AFCBP1 bipotentiostat); HPLC (Buck BLC-10); ICP-OES.

Lipid nanoparticle synthesis; drug delivery entrapment and release profiling; dynamic light scattering; polydispersity index analysis.

UV-Vis spectrophotometry (Agilent Cary 100); ThermoFisher NanoDrop; ¹H-NMR; FT-IR.