Hey there! It's nice to see you again!
I am a former pre-med student turned designer, currently in the process of receiving my M.A. in Design focused on Health at the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, I studied at Dominican University of California and hold a B.S. in General Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Psychology. My journey through healthcare began with a fascination of the body systems, but shifted when my knowledge of psychology deepened and I realized my excitement for the personal. I found myself looking forward to shadowing and volunteering sessions, so that I could hear the stories of patients and providers alike.
Having been on both sides of the care equation as a former patient of Cushing Syndrome, and as a medical assistant who worked during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have witnessed the different care gaps that occur in medicine, and understand the importance of acknowledging and honoring every person's unique journeys. I eventually made the switch from a traditional medical background to my current design path because of my interest in storytelling, and a drive to change the system's constraints that prevent many from receiving care in the way they need it, based on their individual life experiences. I especially hope to bring my compassionate nature into the cancer field, an area of medicine I'd like to continue positively impacting after years of shadowing clinicians and assisting patients in the cancer care space.
I have had an affinity for the arts since I was a small child, which is why I felt called to include my relationship with creativity in my website. Over the years, I discovered unexpected connections between medicine and art - storytelling, meeting people where they're at, understanding others' points of views, collaborating - that have become the pillars of my evolving perspective as a designer.
In my writing, I choose to be vulnerable by exposing my raw emotions, in hopes that those around me will feel safe and comfortable with sharing their own stories to co-create thoughtful, empathetic design solutions. Through my photography, I provide a lens to how I view the world and highlight my attention to detail and my ability to recognize the significance of the daily mundane. Lastly, with my traditional artwork, I show that I am willing to experiment with different design methods, and am not afraid to get deep into the field and get my hands dirty.
In my free time, I enjoy long walks through the grocery store, writing poetry & prose, curating playlists on Spotify, finding 'hidden gem' food spots around town, going to live music events solo, and wandering into bookstores.