I graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Bioengineering.  After graduation, I worked in Research & Development for several years at IDEXX Laboratories, in Westbrook, ME, where I worked on a team developing immunoassays for veterinary and livestock use.  Now, I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Biochemistry at Dartmouth in the Supattapone Lab, where my primary focus is the study of prions.  Prions are self-templating misfolded proteins which are the causative agent of prion diseases.  All prion diseases are invariably fatal and have no treatments or cures.  I am taking a genetic approach to understand what factors affect prion formation.  Outside of the lab, I love spending time with family, getting outdoors, and cooking/eating delicious foods.  I grew up in rural Maine, which made me interested in becoming a SEPA mentor with the hope of encouraging interest in STEM by interacting with students and helping to develop engaging curriculum.