THE MISSION
Supporting more healthful lives for all through promotion of evidence-based research, practicing sustainable foodscaping, and providing education in gardening/nutrition
Program Management & Leadership
Keeping things organized
Founder
2017 - 2018
In light of the devastation Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria have caused on Puerto Rico, I put together a team of volunteers to host donation drop off points and organized a donation drive in Maryland. Together, this team collected donations from National Cancer Institute locations at Bethesda, Fort Detrick, Shady Grove, and the ATRF. We also recruited two restaurants in downtown Frederick, MD to host donation drop off boxes: JoJo's Restaurant and Tap House & Magoo's Pub and Eatery.
Donations were handed off to the Unidos Por Puerto Rico DMV organization in Chantilly, VA.
Managing Editor
2016 - 2018
Accomplishments & Activities
- Worked in collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief and CCR staff to develop and implement publishing strategies.
- Identified, designed, and implemented a new editorial initiative – the Colloquium Edition – to increase authorship, personalize outreach to key communities, and promote the newsletter.
- Identified, built relationships with, and recruited new authors across the NCI community to commission high quality content including conference reviews, historical perspectives in science, and work-life balance pieces.
- Coordinated with multiple groups to ensure efficiency, timeliness, and overall high quality of the publications.
- Assisted publication staff with developing and implementing the timely publication of the seasonal newsletter.
Portfolio
Summer 2018 Newsletter - Managing Editor/Contributing Writer
Spring 2018 Newsletter - Photographer/Managing Editor/Contributing Writer
Spring/Summer 2017 Newsletter - Contributing Writer
Fall/Winter 2017 Newsletter - Managing Editor/Contributing Writer/Advertisement Designer
Co-Chair and Awards Organizer
2016 - 2018
The Annual CCR-FYI Colloquium, implemented in 2001, has been one of the most ambitious programs implemented by the CCR-FYI committee and has since become a long-standing component in the training program for more than 800 current young intramural scientists.
This event is fully supported by the CCR leadership, and during my first year as Co-Chair in 2017, almost 300 fellows attended the Colloquium. The goals for the CCR-FYI Annual Colloquium are to provide an opportunity for research & clinical fellows to present their work to their peers, to allow young scientists a chance to explore potential career paths, and to provide a forum to learn about the exciting, groundbreaking research occurring at the NCI and at other institutions.
As Co-chair of the Colloquium planning committee, I form a team composed of fellows from across the NCI to plan different aspects of the colloquium and manage the different subcommittee groups. I also invite the NCI and CCR directors to give remarks, recruit leaders in the field as keynote speakers, and manage the Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow, Postgraduate Fellow, and Travel Awards judging.
Working together with my co-chair, we have streamlined the Standard Operating Procedures for colloquium planning and trained an incoming team to take over and lead the organization of the colloquium from 2019 and beyond.
Accomplishments & Activities
- Led a cross-functional team in the planning, organization, and execution of the annual CCR Fellows’ Colloquium and subsequent Annual Retreat.
- Coordinated with multiple departments and facilities to ensure the efficient execution of the two-day scientific conference and the one-day retreat.
- Mentored members in the planning of a diverse and inclusive scientific conference.
Portfolio
Colloquium Subcommittee SOP (2018) - co-editor
Colloquium Subcommittee SOP (2017) - co-editor
2018 Colloquium Agenda - Planning Co-chair, Awards Subcommittee Chair
2017 Colloquium Agenda - Planning Co-chair, Awards Subcommittee Chair
2018 Annual CCR-FYI Retreat Agenda - Subcommittee Chair2017 Annual CCR-FYI Retreat Agenda - Co-planner
Poster for the 2018 Scientific Investigators Retreat - Author
Frederick Chair of the Steering Committee
2016 - 2018
Accomplishments & Activities
- Assisted the CCR Office of Training and Education (OTE) with implementing training programs and services to support the overall training goals of the institute.
- Identified new ways to reach and recruit fellows to grow membership and attendance.
- Prepared data reports under the guidance of CCR OTE staff for internal committee review and external public reporting of activities.
- Led a large cross-functional team that served to meet the daily training needs of the CCR fellows’ community.
- Enhanced the reputation of the CCR-FYI within the CCR community to ensure its growth and success.
Portfolio
CCR-FYI Bylaws (2018 V1) - Managing Editor
Outreach
Giving back to the community
Education Outreach Manager
2017
The Chemical Society of Washington (CSW) is the local ACS Section for the Washington, DC area and serves approximately 4,000 members.
As one of this year's elected managers, I assist with education outreach efforts by assisting the Community Activities Committee, the Education Committee, and Project SEED.
Volunteer Veterinary Assistant & Surgical Assistant
2012 - 2013
For more than 114 years, Bideawee has been the leading pet welfare organization serving metropolitan New York and Long Island. Through a vast array of services Bideawee cultivates and supports the life-long relationships between pets and the people who love them.
As a volunteer, I assisted with wellness care, medical services, soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, and oral health assessment & treatment.
Volunteer Animal Handler
2012
Adopt NY was a league of rescue groups working to make New York No Kill. By holding large-scale adoption events in and around NYC, they've been able to introduce many New Yorkers to their newest furry family members.
As a volunteer animal handler, I facilitated with getting the adoptable dogs more visibility by walking them and ensuring they were calm and felt safe during an excitable event. Potential adopters were directed to where they could fill out adoption forms.
Volunteer Instructor
2010
Citizen Schools is an American nonprofit organization that partners with middle schools across the United States to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities.
The course I designed focused on educating seventh graders through a basic forensic science sequence aimed at solving a crime to catch a criminal.
During the course of the semester, I developed, supervised, and conducted lessons and activities as a Volunteer Instructor for an eleven week apprenticeship in East Harlem.FAQ
Do you have a question?
What are you up to?
Miami, FL.
I recently moved back to Florida where I volunteer in my community youth outreach programs teaching gardening and natural sciences.
In 2021, I started Florida Good Life to provide my community with a deeper understanding of sustainable landscaping and options for foodscaping that avoid HOA push-back. In January, I started offering monthly workshops in growing herbs affordably and at home called "Snip Sow Grow".
When I'm not gardening or teaching, I work as an Associate Medical Director in Medical Communications where I manage key opinion leader relationships and ensure quality deliverables to clients.
What are my credentials?
Graduate degrees in human pathology and environmental chemistry
I've had a life-long passion for environmental conservation and human health; the influence of one on the other is intricately woven. Our environmental health affects our ability to produce safe, nutrient dense food and our need for food has driven us to abuse our environment's health. The more we learn and question, the more we can innovate to more sustainably farm and produce food at home, naturally. One thing is sure: healthier environment + healthier food = healthier bodies.
Certifications in foodscaping and permaculture
Since returning to Florida, I have studied sustainable land managment, permaculture, garden design, foodscaping, integrated pest control, customer/client communications, Florida ecology, and interpretive talks. I constantly seek out how to maximaze growing food in small spaces and how to xeriscape different Florida gardens with endemic or state-native plants.
Where am I going?
Towards promoting more healthful communities
I am seeking opportunities to increase food availablity/access, including increasing varieties of the standard foods we know. For example, there are over 60 types of basil! Some basils are great for teas and others for pesto or pizza. By increasing something simple, such as basil varieties, people may be more likely to eat more basil in new and exciting home-cooked ways. They may also choose tea in the evening in place of wine or sodas. Without access, though, the impact will be limited.
A common theme in all communities is food equitable food access. During the COVID-19 shutdown, many local farms in my area permanently closed due to lack of capital and government support. This has had an effect on my community and I'm seeking ways to fill that gap.
Do you want a copy of my scientific publications?
No problem!
All my publications are linked above to their PubMed page.
Tell me more about work-life balance... do you have any hobbies?
Of course!
Even obsessed scientists take time to enjoy their hobbies! My appreciation for chemistry began as a high schooler during photography class. As an adult, I still dabble in film photography and pinhole camera techniques. Additionally, many of the images on this website were taken by me during my undergraduate years at FIU in collaboration with chemist, Dr. James Quirke.
There is also significant carry-over between lab skills and cooking/gardening. During my spare time on the weekend I am, gardening, cooking, or volunteering to teach sustainable gardening and foodscaping. I am currently studying to become a Florida Master Naturalist (yes, I learn for fun!) to educate young minds in how to preserve Florida's unique and diverse ecology.
During my graduate career, I developed a love for aerial silks, lyra, yoga, and running. When not working, I can be found outside gardening or caring for my rescue turtles.
