Hometown: Charleston, WV
Undergraduate Degree: BS, Biology and Chemistry, Guilford College, Greensboro, NC

1. What made you decide to get your MD/PhD degrees at WVU?

I have family in the Charleston area and I was born and raised in the state. WVU has a special place in my heart.

2. What is appealing about the MD/PhD program?

I could not decide which I like better the medicine or research. I love research, but I love the medicine aspect as well. This program allows me to study both, which is a good fit for me.

3. What is your favorite part about the MD/PhD program?

I love the time for research; it is perfect after the first two years of the medicine curriculum and Step 1 of our boards. There is also great support from the deans (Dr. Ferrari and Dr. Cather) in the M.D. portion of my curriculum. The support is equaled by Dr. Minnear’s approachable office for the Ph.D. portion of my curriculum.

4. Why did you pick neuroscience for your research? What is your research about?

The brain is the most interesting organ. There is a lot left to be discovered about its function. I also like neurology, and neuroscience goes with that. I am actually in between labs right now, but my research interests include stroke and neurodegentitive diseases like Alzheimer's.

5. How do you balance school, home, and social life?

My social life is my home life. My husband and neighbors are my social group. My husband is studying engineering here at WVU so we study together. I also use my planner because I believe it is the keep to success. I write down everything I need to do and I try and stay very organized.

6. Do you believe being a member of Big Bothers and Sisters is beneficial to you?

My husband and I are members of big brothers/big sisters so we get to do all kinds of fun activities with our little brother.

7. What are you goals after graduating?

I would like to do a residency in Neurology because it combines my research interests with my clinical aspirations. Neurology is the most interesting to me and it has a nice lifestyle to help me raise my family too. I feel it will give me a better balance with my family than if a picked a surgical specialty.

8. What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?

I love to walk my dog with my husband and hang out with our "little brother". We also just had our first child, and we have enjoyed being parents.

9. Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to attend medical school and work on a PhD at the same time?

Get as much research experience as you can. Maintain a balance in your life between school and your family; it is the key to surviving the first two years of medical school.