What inspires you to work in public service?
I’m drawn to public service because I’ve seen how policy quietly determines who gets access to care and opportunity, and who is left navigating barriers alone. Working in voter education and public health has shown me that even small gaps in systems can compound into major inequities in people’s lives.
My experiences in hospitals and free clinics made that real for me in a different way. I’ve witnessed how resource limitations don’t just affect care delivery, but also trust and outcomes. Those moments have shaped how I think about responsibility, not just to understand these systems, but to improve them.
Public service, to me, is about making those invisible gaps visible and working to close them in a way that centers around people’s lived experiences.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Public Policy Analysis and Biology (Pre-Health specialization) with a minor in Global Public Health
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
My interest in policy and public service has been shaped most by my public health and policy evaluation coursework. In Global Public Health, I learned how strongly health outcomes are influenced by lived experiences and human behavior, and how factors like environment, culture, and access shape the way people interact with health systems. It pushed me to think beyond surface-level solutions and consider the real-world context behind policy decisions.
In PUBAFRS 4000: Public Policy Evaluation specifically, I learned that implementing a program is only one part of the process. Just as important is evaluating whether it actually works, through measuring outcomes and continuously improving based on evidence. That course changed how I think about policy from something static to something iterative and accountable. Together, these experiences have shaped my understanding of public service as both deeply human and continuously evolving.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
I bring strong skills in analytical thinking and clear communication, developed through both research and policy-focused work. In my research assistant role in a translational cancer lab, I’ve strengthened my ability to interpret complex scientific data and identify meaningful insights that connect molecular findings to real-world healthcare applications.
I’ve also developed policy analysis and evaluation skills through my public health fellowship at Alliance for Civic Engagement and OSU coursework, where I’ve learned how to assess programs not just by implementation, but by effectiveness and continuous improvement.
In addition, my clinical experience in patient care settings has strengthened my interpersonal and adaptability skills, helping me communicate effectively in fast-paced, sensitive environments while staying organized.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
I most rely on my communication and adaptability when collaborating with others. I try to make sure I’m not only clearly expressing my own ideas, but also actively listening and making space for others’ perspectives so that the team can work more cohesively. I also make an effort to adjust my approach depending on the group dynamic or task at hand, whether that means stepping into a leadership role, supporting behind the scenes so the group can move forward efficiently.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
My career goal is to work at the intersection of medicine and public policy to address healthcare inequities and improve access to care for underserved populations. I plan to pursue medical school, but I’m equally committed to understanding the systems that shape patient outcomes beyond the clinical setting.
I hope this fellowship will deepen my understanding of how public policy is developed and implemented at a national level, especially in the health policy space. I want to strengthen my skills in research, analysis, and policy communication while learning directly from professionals working on complex public issues. Most importantly, I see this fellowship as an opportunity to bridge my clinical experiences with my policy interests so I can become a more informed and effective advocate for equitable healthcare systems.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
My most impactful experience has been working as a research assistant in a translational cancer lab. I’ve been studying targeted drug delivery strategies for pancreatic cancer, including compounds like HOSU-53 and NBMPR, and learning how molecular pathways can be modulated to better understand tumor progression and treatment potential.
What makes this work especially meaningful is the environment I’m in every day. From our lab, I can see The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, where the very patients this research is meant to serve are being treated just steps away. Knowing that HOSU-53 was developed at Ohio State and contributing to its continued research and potential clinical application has made the work feel incredibly real and immediate.
That connection between the bench and the bedside has shaped how I think about impact in science and medicine. It has reinforced my motivation to pursue a career where research is not separate from patient care, but directly informs and improves it.