Hometown: Plano, Texas
Year I became a Gator: 2017
Department: Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
Mentor: Ashley Smuder, PhD
Research focus: My research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced cardiorespiratory dysfunction and how exercise training can prevent these detrimental effects.
What drives me: What drives me is the possibility that the findings from our research may lead to potential therapeutic interventions (pharmacological or non-pharmacological) that could improve the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and, importantly, preventing chemotherapy related deaths.
What I like most about the BREATHE Training Program: What I like most about the BREATHE Training Program is the collaborative environment for trainees and principal investigators. The BREATHE Training Program offers excellent mentorship from leaders in the field of respiratory physiology in both clinical and pre-clinical research.
Awards & achievements since being on the T32: I am a newly awarded BREATHE T32 trainee, however, I was recently awarded the APS Central Nervous System Research Recognition Award at Experimental Biology 2022. In addition, my work was selected for a special topic oral presentation at Experimental Biology 2022. Within the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, I have been awarded the Grinter PhD Fellowship and APK Distinguished Doctoral Student Fellowship.
What I like about Gainesville: Food and breweries! Gainesville has a wide variety of restaurants and food trucks that all serve excellent food. Some of my favorite locations are Halo Potato Donuts, The Top, Public and General, Monsta Lobsta (food truck), Satchel’s Pizza, and Swamp Head Brewery.
Why I chose BREATHE at the University of Florida: I chose BREATHE at UF because this program has shown to produce successful trainees and the mentors are highly respected in the field. The BREATHE community is passionate about their work and the collaboration between researchers allows for an excellent working environment.
What makes the BREATHE Training Program unique? The BREATHE Training Program is unique because of the network of clinical and pre-clinical scientists in the field. This allows for translational research opportunities for trainees and senior investigators.
What I do for fun: My fiance and I love to hike. One of our greatest hiking accomplishments so far is completing a 77-mile thru-hike (6-days) on the Foothills Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I also enjoy exercise training at GoPrimal Fitness.