As a child, I was exposed to science through an amazing set of 6 books about many topics such as anatomy, properties of light, ecosystems, and outer space. With plenty of support from my father, I was able to excel in math all throughout school. I had two great physics teachers, one in a summer camp and one for AP Physics 1, who made me feel excited about problem solving and experimentation. In high school, I led a team in Lexus Eco Challenge that won $10,000 by creating a solution to an environmental problem. After my junior year in high school, I participated in a research opportunity through University of Missouri - St. Louis called STARS, where I got to work in a Biomedical Engineering lab at St. Louis University and have my preliminary research be used in a published paper. This research was on Manuka honey infused hydrogels, cryogels, and electrospun tissue engineering scaffolds to be used as implants. Before the program, I chose that field to research in before really knowing anything about it, but after learning more, it seemed to combine everything I cared about! It excited me to be a part of a field that used an engineering mindset and knowledge about the human body to create solutions to help people. After becoming a National Merit Scholar, I was able to double down on my passions by double majoring in Physics and Biomedical Engineering at UNT, with a minor in Materials Science and Math. 

My involvement in the ONR STEM Grant was through the new course at UNT on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems that Dr. Kaul offered in Spring 2020.  In just my second year, I was a part of a specialized course that was applicable to many different fields, including medicine. I learned in-depth about the manufacturing and history of not only MEMS but also general silicon-based microprocessors, which is very relevant. The lab experience was just as in-depth, as a real MEMS device was created and tested (a radio antenna). Additionally, since I was signed up for the class sponsored by the Grant, I was able to apply to and receive a recommendation for an internship with the Naval Research Laboratories. This recommendation, along with my own credentials, earned me a prestigious paid internship for 10 weeks over the summer in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, this program wasn't completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it would have been an incredible opportunity to do high-level, rigorous research at just 20 years of age. This would have been great experience, where I could have even published a paper or produced a patent. Even with just the research, my application to graduate school, which I hope to embark upon, would have been strengthened and I would have had a credible recommendation from my mentor in the program. I had no idea that signing up for this one class would have led to such a great opportunity, but I'm very fortunate this STEM pathway was provided by the ONR STEM Grant.