About Me

I am at a point in my career where I am looking to leverage my extensive scientific knowledge, as well as the technical, operational, and leadership skills I have refined throughout my research career and in managing a CAP-accredited biorepository. My passion lies in optimizing laboratory operations, streamlining research workflows, and supporting translational science. I am particularly driven by the goal of advancing new therapeutic approaches into clinical trials—bridging the gap between discovery and patient impact remains a central focus of my work.

In addition to my scientific career, I have a deep passion for education. For over 20 years, I have worked as a private tutor, specializing in ACT and SAT preparation. I take pride in helping students build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and achieve their academic goals. My approach goes beyond test prep—I strive to instill a love of learning and empower students with the tools they need for long-term success.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research CV

Cancer Research & Tumor Microenvironment

Tumor-stroma interactions in hematological malignancies and solid tumors
Mechanisms of residual disease persistence in cancer
Targeting tumor-microenvironment interactions for therapeutic development
Role of exosomes in cancer progression and therapy resistance

Translational & Preclinical Research

Development of ex vivo co-culture models for drug testing
Preclinical evaluation of targeted therapies (e.g., ibrutinib, venetoclax)
Bridging bench discoveries to clinical applications

Cell Biology & Imaging

Cell-ECM and cell-cell interactions in disease progression
Advanced microscopy techniques for live-cell imaging and analysis
Novel imaging-based methods for exosome quantification and uptake

Laboratory Operations & Biorepository Management

Best practices in CAP-accredited biorepository management
Optimization of biospecimen handling and storage for translational research
Workflow improvements in laboratory operations and compliance

Immunology & Inflammatory Diseases

Immunological aspects of celiac disease and Crohn’s disease
Inflammatory signaling in cancer and autoimmune disorders

TUTORING INTERESTS

EDUCATION

1999 - 2006 University of Illinois at Chicago, PhD, Molecular Genetics
1996 -1999 Augustana College, BA, Biological Sciences

Math

Pre-algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2

Science:

Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics

Test Prep:

ACT, SAT

Tutoring CV