I attended Oregon State University where I received my Bachelor of Science in BioResource Research with an option in Genomics and Bioinformatics and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate I studied under Dr. Susan C. Tilton. My research was focused on the diversity and abundance of the lung microbiome of mice subjected to diet-induced obesity and cigarette smoke. I graduated in December of 2017 and began a research internship at Monmouth University under Dr. Martin J. Hicks and Dr. Jonathan Ouellet. During my internship I worked on developing an mRNA capture assay, implemented DNA and RNA MinION nanopore sequencing into standard laboratory protocols, and performed supportive tasks for the research environment. I joined the Berglund Lab in November of 2019 as a research technician. I look forward to learning new techniques, contributing to projects and publications, and gaining a greater understanding of the role of RNA in health and disease.