Hometown: Charleston, WV
Undergraduate Degree: BS, Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Kentucky

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

I am from Charleston, WV and when I was looking at schools the research here was developing.

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

The faculty are nice and supportive, which is important. The graduate program and the medical school program, the M.D. curriculum is nice. I also like the city of Morgantown.

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

My favorite parts are the stipend and with the dual program, where I can come out with two degrees and no debt. I also love doing research .

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

I choose to work with Dr. Mathers because of his duel appointment in Neurosciences and Biochemistry. I have a background in agricultural biology technology and I wanted to extend my training. My research is on eye development. In the lab in look at the RX gene, which is critical for eye development, and I see what roles the gene has in the development of the eye.

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

My philosophy is if you work hard you can play hard, mostly on weekends. I try to take one night a week to relax. It is easier to balance life when you are in the lab because you can come and go as you please, but you have to be self-directed and motivated to get your work done.

6. What are you goals after graduating?

I would like to pursue ophthalmology and continue my research with the eye.

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

One of my favorite things is to be outdoors; I like to walk on trail, rock climb, hike, and workout.

8. Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to become a medical student/researcher?

You need to find a lab where you are comfortable working in the lab and what is being done in the lab. The relationships in the lab are just as important as the lab itself. The exposures in the lab are just as important as the research in general.

Interviewed in Spring 2008
During the laboroatory research time of the curriculum