Where are you from and what do you enjoy most about your hometown?
I am from Weymouth, Massachusetts, which is just south along the coast from Boston. Eastern Massachusetts is a place of many seasons and landscapes, which I was lucky to have growing up. There are beaches, mountains, beautiful fall leaves, snow sports, and the summer is always an ideal 75-80 degrees.
What is your research focused on?
My research focuses on lung stem cells and how their function declines in the elderly. My primary focus is to identify signaling from the lung microenvironment that represses the regenerative function of these cells. Old age is the biggest risk factor for many lung diseases, so I think its’s crucial to explore how aging impacts the biology of these cells.
What is your favorite part of your research?
I really enjoy the moments where I look up at the technology we use every day and realize just how amazing it is; it truly seems like magic sometimes. The community around me is also amazing. My lab and the BPH program are supportive and fun. They make it easier to bounce back after a tough day.
How do you relax when you’re not working?
To relax I often rotate through different sports and outdoor activities. They might include running, skiing, soccer, hiking/foraging, and swimming among others. I will often use a free day or evening to cook something that I am excited about or play a board game with friends.
Tell us about an activity outside of lab you’re involved in and why it’s important to you
I am a co-leader of the BPH peer mentorship program, where we setup first year graduate students with an experienced peer mentor to help them adjust to life as a Ph.D. student. Being a first-gen college student, I often didn’t have connections to academia or science that I could consult with about my career. Knowledge is power and I think it’s incredibly important to equip every individual with what they need to know to have a chance to succeed.
