Why did you choose to pursue your degree at USC?
I chose USC and the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences due to the strength of research, diverse faculty research foci, access to institutional resources, and to work specifically with my mentor Dr. Ricky Bluthenthal.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
Our research team conducts place-based data collection alongside community health organizations that serve people who use drugs. My favorite memories over the past five years involve spending time with our research team in the field, interfacing with organizational staff and our research participants. I have had the opportunity to learn from a diverse array of people from all walks of life and watch our research team grow and evolve together.
What course in your program did you enjoy the most and why?
PM615: Intervention Grant Research Proposal Writing. Fabulous instructors helped guide me towards my first major NIH grant submission—which got funded!
What advice do you have for incoming students?
For PhD students specifically— doing your PhD is a journey. As you learn and grow, do yourself a favor and record your thoughts and ideas. You never know when an offhand idea will become the basis for a fully independent research project.
What are you planning to do after graduation?
I plan to move on to a postdoctoral research position.
