1. What impact has OADI had on your student experience?

OADI is my support system, my second family, and my home away from home. Every time I walk into the OADI office, I know that every individual in there wants me to succeed and that just drives me more to pursue my passion for sustainable agriculture. I love all my OADI peeps!

2. What has it meant to be recognized for an award and as a recipient?

Even being nominated for The Solomon Cook Award for Engaged Research and Scholarship was an honor but to be the recipient of the award meant so much to me. 

From the very beginning of my Cornell experience, I was infatuated with research as I joined the OADI Research Scholar Program (ORSP) and in my sophomore year was accepted as a McNair Research Scholar. I have been in a plethora of labs at one point having been in three different labs simultaneously (which may have been a bit more than I could chew). But, needless to say, my love for research is vast and to have my efforts acknowledged is the cherry on top. 

As a high school senior, I didn't even know if college was an option for me and now here, I am at one of the most prestigious universities in the world being acknowledged for my contributions towards research. You can’t write a story better than that. I owe it all to my single mother back home, Eliza Paris, who made me, and my siblings believe that your dreams can become reality with hard work and dedication toward your craft.

Currently, my primary research is conducted in the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab under Dr. Matthew R. Ryan where I am leading a 2-year, multi-site experiment across the East and Central US on the effects of seeding rate in organic no-till black bean production. I also want to also congratulate all of my wonderful peers who were nominated for the award as we all strive to use our research to fill the gaps of knowledge in our respective fields.

3. What advice do you have for incoming freshman or to future program students?

Be your own biggest fan. Because if you aren’t your biggest fan, then who will be?

Be proud of yourself and maintain that amazing self-esteem you have. 

And, whether big or small, don’t forget to celebrate every single one of your accomplishments and wins because the road you took to get to where you are was not an easy one.

4. Tell us a fun fact about yourself?

Though it may be difficult to see in pictures, I was born with strands of red hair and they become clearly visible when my hair gets long!