Home town: Doylestown, PA
College: University of Scranton
Research: My research is focused on deciphering the role of neuroendocrine (NE) cells in prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance. This involves studying how NE cells communicate with the more common luminal-type tumor cells, elucidating how NE cells signal intracellularly, as well as discovering NE-specific biomarkers so that these cells can be therapeutically targeted. In addition to this work, tumor metabolism and glycobiology are strong interests of mine.
Career Goals: I am interested in pursuing a career in clinical chemistry/laboratory medicine.
Hobbies: On the weekends, you can often find me bouncing around the Triangle exploring new local restaurants, breweries, and wineries. I also love to travel whenever I can whether it's exploring a new city or heading to the beach!
Why Duke: Duke is truly on the cutting edge of biomedical research and it was an opportunity I could not turn down when I got accepted to come here for my PhD training. Ever since matriculating, I have had the opportunity to work with world-class faculty that were truly devoted to my training and growth as a scientist. At Duke, clinicians and scientists attend many of the same seminars and collaborate with each other on many projects. This has allowed me to see things from both a clinical and scientific perspective, which I feel has given me a great advantage in my training.
Why Durham: There is so much to do in Durham that you can never get bored! From great food, parks, hiking trails, downtown fairs, and breweries, you can always find something fun and new to try. I also love to explore the other major towns of the Triangle, which are all within 25 miles!