My Passion Projects
NC PBS Scishow
I had the opportunity to work with a producer of the NC PBS Sci Show on a segment about the importance of stormwater resilience. Having my research broadcast to a wider audience will provide further representation for young women and minorities hoping to work in STEM.
SPROUTS
Within my department, I worked to establish an outreach-centered club called Stem Program for Reaching Our Underrepresented Teens. The goal of this club would be to introduce students to STEM topics by allowing them time to engage with graduate students and participate in interactive science activities.
I developed this idea when I realized how few black students there were in my department. Rather than being disheartened by the demographic statistics, I took action to figure out how I could diversify our student body. We host STEM sessions with local K-12 schools to give students hands-on engineering experience and mentorship.
Leukemia Lymphoma Society
​I am a childhood cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma at the age of 11, and suffered a relapse at age 19 during college. After receiving a Stem Cell Transplant, I have been in remission for several years now. I had the opportunity to work with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the Triangle this year as an Honored Hero. Together we raised $2.1 million for the fight against blood cancer. I was able to share my story of survivorship with hundreds of people, inspiring them to join in on the effort. Speaking about cancer helps me to realize that a sad part of my history is really a story of triumph and perseverance
Here's a televised interview I did with My Carolina to promote the fundraising efforts
Longview Podcast
The Long View Project is focused on envisioning the future by building on the interdisciplinary expertise of the world’s best scholars through conversations, interviews, and events. I applied and was selected to be a part of the Longview podcasts project. It’s an opportunity for grad student to choose a topic related to their research and produce a podcast episode. I chose to interview a landscape architect, Dr. Kofi Boone, to discuss the future of green infrastructure and urban development.
My episode is coming soon! In the meantime, read more about the project here
Roman Engineering in Spain
​I spent one of the summers abroad at the University of Oviedo in Oviedo, Spain. While there I was a teaching assistant for a class led by my advisor, Dr. William Hunt, that taught students about Roman Infrastructure and Engineering. I spent three weeks living with the student and learning along side them as we traveled through the country. At the end of the term I had the opportunity to give a guest lecture to the class about my experience of having cancer while going to college. It led to a very emotional final day, and added to the many amazing memories I made.