- Area of Study Behavioral Biology
Where are you from?
New York and San Francisco
What is your major and how did you choose it?
I am a SBB major (Specialization in Behavioral Biology). Coming into BU, I was general biology and didn’t feel that I wanted to specialize. But, at the end of my freshman year, Advisor Stacy Straaberg Finfrock sent an email to all gen bio majors, asking us if we had interest in a specialization, even if we did not want to declare yet. At that point, I read through the choices and for the most part liked all of the specializations…until I got to SBB. The description really captivated me and made me realize that behavior was really my niche — and the rest is history!
What’s your favorite Biology course?
My favorite biology course was BI225. BI225: Behavioral Biology is a requirement for SBB majors but can be taken to fill elective credit for other Biology majors. The class is small and has a seminar feel to it. Dr. James Traniello is a very engaging, knowledgeable and kind professor. I really appreciated the semester-long research paper as it was my first introduction to this sort of academic writing. The assignment gave us flexibility and choice and at the same time, support from Dr. Traniello at each stage. This class helped substantiate that SBB is truly my niche and opened my eyes to research in ways I had not previously considered.
What extra-curricular activities are you involved with?
I am a member of BU’s Pre-Medical Society, Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) where I volunteer to screen low-income individuals for kidney disease, and am a member of Alianza Latina, BU’s largest Latino Organization. I also volunteer for both the American Red Cross as a Blood Services Ambassador and the Jamaica Plain VA hospital.
Favorite dining spot on or around campus?
My favorite spot to dine on campus is Bay State Underground—the garden pesto chicken sandwich and buffalo wings with garlic fries are some of my go-to choices. I love the menu, the seating and ambiance of the place—it feels just enough like a restaurant but is casual, fun and in an easy location!
Best place on campus to study or relax?
I like to study in the Yawkey Center—it’s less busy than some other locations, it’s right above the dining hall and the view of the Charles is great without being overly distracting.
What are your post-graduation plans?
My ultimate career goal is to become a Pediatric Emergency Doctor. My enthrallment for medicine began at a young age. In my toddler years I carried around my plastic doctor’s kit and Barbie band-aids for my stuffed animals’ “boo-boos”. As I got older, I began to talk about how I wanted to be a veterinarian and care for animals. But when I was 5 and a half and my baby brother was born; it was then and there that I decided to abandon my previously-held ambition of being an Annie Oakley-style trick rider/veterinarian to become an emergency room pediatrician instead. Not only do I love children and feel a passion to help them, but I am enthralled by how resilient their small bodies are and how they heal from trauma in ways adults do not.