Can you tell us a little bit about the nomination of Bouchet Scholar and what that is and means?  

To me being, inducted into the Edward Bouchet Honor Society is a great honor and recognition of the work I have done while at Cornell. It means that I continue a legacy that exemplifies CLASS (character, leadership, advocacy, service and scholarship), which started with Dr. Edward Bouchet, the first Black American to get a PhD from an American university.  While there are obvious differences between my path and that of Dr. Bouchet there are also some similarities: division in American politics, and divided thoughts of who should and should not have access to higher education. In difficult times I have leaned on and learned from the legacies of those who came before me, and being attached to this Honor Society in honor of Dr. Bouchet is one I hold in high esteem.

What is your plan once you complete your PhD?

After my PhD, I plan to find a postdoctoral position to continue my research in maternal and child nutrition. Ultimately, I aspire to be a university professor conducting community-based participatory research focused on improving diet-related health outcomes in populations that are disproportionately at risk for poor health.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about being a McNair scholar and/or pursuing their PhD?

My advice to someone thinking about joining the McNair scholars' program or getting a PhD is to do it! You can do anything you put your mind to, and the McNair Scholars program is there to guide you along the way. I am forever grateful to the McNair Scholars program for the encouragement, guidance and resources along the way. 

What other goals and dreams for life do you have and what are they? 

I hope to one day conduct research alongside scientists across the African diaspora. I would love to travel to Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and Indonesia. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself?

I am a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc, and I have 2 fur babies: Puma and Nike.