My passion for science and research was initially inspired by my mother. I grew up in a single-parent home and was fortunate to have a loving and strong mother who reinforced my dreams. She was the first person to expose me to science. In her efforts to motivate my science inquisitiveness, I remember receiving Christmas gifts in the form of a Smithsonian chemistry set and my first microscope. At that time, I did not fully understand her actions, but I would later come to realize that my mother was liberating me to a life of science. She gave me the confidence to believe in myself and assured me that it was okay to be different. More importantly, she assured me it was okay to love science.
My first introduction to the field of endocrinology occurred in the summer of 2007 when I participated in the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Excellence in Cardiovascular Sciences program. During the eight-week program, I was mentored by Mark C. Chappell, PhD.
“Becoming a FLARE fellow was life changing for me because it gave me the opportunity to serve the Society and its various initiatives.”
Working with him laid the foundation of my science career trajectory and gave me the motivation to apply to graduate school. After graduating from Louisiana State University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in biological/nutritional sciences, I returned to Wake to complete a one-year NIH-NIGMS sponsored Post Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP). My experience in this program was a defining moment, one in which I could truly envision myself becoming an independent investigator and making a difference.
In 2010, I was successfully admitted and matriculated as a graduate student at Wake Forest School of Medicine. Dr. Chappell served as my thesis adviser and my research focused on understanding mitochondrial and intracellular signaling of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is a classic endocrine system that regulates blood pressure and fluid homeostasis. More specifically, my studies sought to elucidate how dysregulation of the RAS leads to uncontrollable hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Monte S. Willis, MD, PhD, MBA, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My research project specifically investigates a muscle-specific protein (MuRF-1) that directly regulates muscle mass size and is involved in mitochondrial function and exercise performance in vivo.
My graduate school research opened many career doors and prompted me to attend my first ENDO meeting in 2013. During this meeting, I won a travel award and was selected as a Presidential Poster Competition Award Winner. I just remember feeling completely at home at the ENDO meeting. Everyone I met was very friendly and engaging and the researchers there seemed just as interested in me as a person as well as my research. I especially remember my first interactions with the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and its various sponsored activities.
The Endocrine Society’s associate director for professional development, Kirsta Suggs and chief program officer, Wanda Johnson were some of the first individuals I met along with Rocio I. Pereira, MD. During this meeting, I also attended a special workshop where I learned about the Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology (FLARE) program and in 2014, I was selected as a fellow. Becoming a FLARE fellow was life changing for me because it gave me the opportunity to serve the Society and its various initiatives. Often times in life, we are looking for ways in which an opportunity or person could serve us, however a person can gain so much more by serving others. As a FLARE intern, I worked very closely with the Minority Access Program (MAP) and recruited undergraduates at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).
“Positive change begins with a plan and can only be successful if one has the courage to embrace new directions and the persistence to overcome any obstacle.”
Aside from my research explorations, my long-term goals involve developing a creative niche in endocrinology by applying innovative approaches towards biotechnology and promoting the discovery of novel technologies. To facilitate these pursuits, I earned a dual PhD/MBA degree. With this unique training, I hope to flourish within a career that will allow me to foster improved communication and relationships between industry and academia with a focus on treating endocrine disorders. Ultimately, I would like to facilitate the creation of standardized academic curricula, and professional training by which students, clinicians, and researchers are exposed to business applications.
Positive change begins with a plan and can only be successful if one has the courage to embrace new directions and the persistence to overcome any obstacle. My mother and the aforementioned experiences have contributed to my commitment to pursue a career that leverages both my endocrinology research and business knowledge. Indeed, I believe these experiences have strengthened my resolve to develop a successful science career to continue my scientific contributions and mentorship of future trainees.
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