When did you begin playing lacrosse – on any level?
I started playing lacrosse in 7^th grade on the modified team at Wayne Central High School. Our women's lacrosse program was fairly new at our school, and it was nice to see improvement over the years.
 
Did you prefer one position – attack or defense – when you started playing? Does the midfield position fit both of those roles best?
I preferred attack when I started playing lacrosse, however, I always was in the midfield. I have gained a love for defense as it is an adrenaline rush stopping the opponents from scoring. Being on the attack is always so fun particularly when you can connect with your teammates to put the ball in the back of the net.
 
The team got off to a good start this past spring. In the second half vs. Nazareth, you shut the Flyers out in the second half and rallied to win. Was that the best overall performance of the year?
 Nazareth was a high intensity game and the score showed our hard work and dedication especially in the second half. However, our game against Geneseo was one of my favorites as we kept our heads up and persevered to put goals up on the score board towards the end of the game. Even though we did not win, it was a very exciting to be a part of and show our continuous drive.
 
Is there a key to protecting the ball from opponents' swipes at it?
They key to maintaining the ball on offense is being aware of your surroundings and keeping communication with your teammates. I love lacrosse since it is such a team sport and all the girls on and off the field are helping each other out and can tell you when someone may be behind you. When an opponent gets close, the key is to cradle the lacrosse stick close to your body so the opponent cannot swipe at it.
 
And conversely, is there a key to taking it away from an opponent?
On defense the most important thing you can do is to keep your feet moving and stay low. This will allow you to be on your toes and one step ahead of your opponent which can increase your chances of taking the ball away.
 
If a fan came to watch you play for the first time, how could they tell you are playing well?
 A fan could tell our team is playing well by maintaining possession of the ball during transition from defense to attack. Additionally, when our team is doing our best, we have extremely effective communication, everyone is on the same page, and we make connecting passes that lead to goals. Personally, when I am playing well, I am very competitive and intense, so normally I am very exhausted by the end of a good game.
 
Let's talk about academics. You are majoring in Microbiology with a minor in Psychology. How are those two specialties linked together?
 I really enjoy these concentrations since they both are so relevant to my daily life, especially with what is going on now. For microbiology, we are currently learning in depth about the immune system and we will be talking about vaccinations shortly which I am very excited about. For psychology, I find learning about development interesting since both our biology and our environment effects who we are today.
 
Coach classified you as a Social Science Pre-Med student. Please talk about Social Science.
As a pre-med student I am very passionate about the health of our community. I want to treat the mind body and soul as a future doctor and my background in psychology as a social science will allow me to better do so. Medicine in terms of treatment is great, but a large part of what effects our lives is our surrounding and the way we think. Therefore, psychology has taught me how to have a wider perspective on the health and fitness of others.
 
You were the head workshop leader for a BIO course and for a BIO lab. What did that involve?
 As a workshop leader and lab teaching assistant I was responsible for fostering fellow students learning within the classrooms. As a first-generation student, I really enjoy seeking out mentorships, and it has been great to be a mentor for others in terms of biology and college life.
 
You've worked at Rochester General Hospital as a Patient Care Technician and worked in Strong Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department. ED can be a bit stressful at times, can't it?
Working last year in the emergency department was a unique experience, as I never have been in the ED myself. I got to work with a diverse patient population and see the non-stop environment for the healthcare workers. It opened my eyes to emergency medicine and how awesome the staff is.
 
What's the next step in your education?
Currently, I am applying for medical schools to attend in fall 2021 as I will be graduated from the University of Rochester. I am looking at schools close to Rochester, but also far away to experience living in a different city.
 
And what is your long-term goal for a career?
 My goal is to become a physician that can advocate for patients and advance medicine through research. The University of Rochester has provided me a great foundation to accomplish this goal. Additionally, being a patient care technician has confirmed my desire to serve others in the community during their most vulnerable moments, especially the underserved.
 
Which courses have you taken previously that you've really enjoyed?
I have taken MBI 221W lab which was four credit upper-level writing class where I completed my own independent microbiology project over the course of the semester. I love being hands on, and it was very beneficial to apply what I have learned in the classroom in lab. I loved critically thinking and problem solving that allowed me to complete my project. Additionally, I really enjoyed my physiology class I took since it was relevant to my pre-med track. Everything I learned in the class seemed applicable to my future career and my daily life since I learned about the processes that take place in our body.
 
What are you taking this semester that is interesting?
I am taking a bioethics class called Biomedical Ethics at the Bedside which is a class that discusses the ethical and legal dilemmas that arise within medical practice. I will use this knowledge in the future as a physician to provide the best care to my patients.