This experience inspired me to join a group of teens at the University of Arizona Medical Center (now Banner) who wanted to make the hospital a more friendly and comfortable place.

I was involved in this volunteer work for the rest of middle and high school and into college. During my time at the medical center, I became immersed in the research occurring there. I was so interested that I spent a more than half of my college time conducting medical research, on projects such as catching cancer cells before they spread from their tumor to a new site in the body, using stem cells to generate new cartilage for the knee, and of course, working on a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

I have continued this passion through a PhD program at the University of Michigan Medical School where I work full-time on research. As I continue down this path, I am more confident each day that this is how I can make the biggest impact in my community and in the world.