Mechanical Engineering
Research Interests: My research interest lies within the field of mechanobiology, particularly in exploring how manipulating the mechanical environment of cells can influence their fate. Currently, I am focusing on understanding how heart muscle cells adapt to disease-induced changes in their mechanics. To explore this, I use a stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte model, which holds significant potential for understanding and treating various heart conditions. I believe that looking at the mechanics that tamper with these systems could be key to solving issues within the cardiovascular field, and it is very exciting that I get to contribute to such meaningful research.
Mentoring Experiences: I made a conscious decision not to take on any undergraduate mentees until I reached a point in my PhD program where I had completed my coursework and I felt knowledgeable enough in my project to teach others. Even then, interacting with my mentees has prompted me to revisit and reinforce my knowledge base, as their challenging questions often highlight gaps in my knowledge, making me a more well-rounded researcher. I was also initially hesitant to mentor because I feared I wouldn't know how to lead effectively, but this experience has given me confidence in my ability to manage and collaborate. Seeing my mentees apply the skills I taught them to pursue their own research questions has been so cool and rewarding!
Meaning of the Award: I am extremely humbled and honored to be chosen as one of the recipients of the Fiona and Michael Goodchild Graduate Mentoring Award. As a first-generation student, I attribute much of my success to the incredible mentors who guided me and inspired my own commitment to mentoring. Since applying to grad school, I have aimed to provide the same high-caliber mentorship to undergraduates, helping them achieve significant milestones such as presenting at a research conference. This recognition motivates me to continue to create a research environment that offers opportunities to a diverse set of scientists and helps them pave their way to success, just as I was given the opportunity to do.