My journey has been driven by a passion for learning, service, and making a meaningful impact. A key milestone was earning a master’s degree in biohazardous threat agents and emerging infectious diseases, opening doors for me to contribute to strengthening the United States' health security against biological threats. This field requires expertise, but also a deep sense of responsibility, which motivates my work. With this academic foundation, I’m committed to using my skills to address public health challenges, despite the financial burdens of student loan debt. I’m determined to continue advancing health security and preparing for future threats. In addition to my professional goals, I’m passionate about traveling the world to experience diverse cultures and learn new languages. These experiences have broadened my understanding of global health challenges and further fueled my desire to contribute to health security on a global scale. I believe I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because my life experiences have shaped me into a resilient leader, coach, and mentor. I’ve developed the skills needed to navigate complex challenges with integrity and compassion, and my dedication to service and positive change drives me forward, even in the face of obstacles.

• Laboratory Assistant - Set up and dismantled human biology and biology departmental laboratory courses, made microbiology media and reagents, and maintained laboratory equipment and chemical inventories

  Biology · University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

  Jan 2012 – Jan 2014

• Microbiologist III - Performs, develops, evaluates, and prepares testing services within a microbiology laboratory for diagnostics, surveillance, screening, environmental monitoring and to report clear and concise testing results

  Microbiologist · Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

  Jan 2018 – Present

• Tier-1 Select Agent Microbiologist - Responds to biological threat agents discovered in the state of Wisconsin

  Select Agents and Toxins · Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

  Jan 2022 – Present

• Student Tutor - Helped students study, prepare for exams and provide resources for them in Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology courses

  Education · Moraine Park Techincal College

  Jan 2011 – Jan 2012

• Microbiologist I - Performed food safety and environmental testing to detect pathogenic bacteria within food products and manufacturing processes and report results to customers

  Food Safety · Covance

  Jan 2014 – Jan 2016

• Advocacy
• Politics
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy

• Ultimate Frisbee

  Intramural

  2006 – 2008

• Softball

  Junior Varsity · 1 award

  2004 – 2005

  Awards:

  Co-Captain of the 2004-2005 JV Team

• Mixed Martial Arts

  Club

  2008 – 2008

• Aikido

  Club · 1 award

  2006 – 2008

  Awards:

  Yellow Belt

• Volleyball

  Intramural

  2006 – 2008

• Skydiving

  1 award

  2020 – 2020

  Awards:

  Jumped at 20,000 feet recognition!

• Test specimens for SARS-CoV-2 (N) and (S) regions to see if patients had antibodies developed due to covid-19 exposure or immunity through vaccination.

  WSLH and SHOW · Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

  2020 – 2022

  Research topic:

  SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Research

• Assist the Lead Scientist to discover why a company had mold contamination in their food product and where the mold came from.

  Covance · Food Microbiology

  2015 – 2015

  Research topic:

  Mold Contamination in Food Products

• Student- Investigate the level of antibiotic resistance of various bacterial strains

  UW-Green Bay · Microbiology

  2014 – 2014

  Research topic:

  Antimicrobial Resistance

• Student

  Beaver Dam High School · Drawing

  2005 – 2006

  Productions:

  Wisconsin State Fair Poster Winner, Drawing became the State Fair Poster Flyer for the following year.

• Volunteer Trainee/Science Teacher in Namibia, Africa

  Volunteering · US Peace Corps

  2016 – 2016

  Mission:

  to teach science at the upper primary and secondary schools in Namibia, Africa

• Vegetable Picker - Picked vegetables to feed the homeless and low income families.

  Volunteering · FFA - Washington Leadership Conference

  2005 – 2005

  Mission:

  Picked vegetables to feed the homeless and low income families.

• Educator- show students what you can do at the lab if they pursue and earn a bachelors degree

  Volunteering · Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

  2022 – Present

  Mission:

  Educate and show technical college students what we do at the state lab to encourage them to pursue a bachelors degree

• Coach and Mentor - Provide resources and guidance to individuals who need assistance or advice about education, personal and professioinal development.

  Advocacy

  2008 – Present

  Mission:

  To informally coach and mentor individuals to help them realize their greatest potiental.

• Elected Dewey County Board Supervisor - conduct county business on behalf of our constituents with the guiding principles of racial equity, preparation, collaboration, sustainability, and decorum

  Public Service (Politics) · American Legion Auxiliary Badger Girls State

  2005 – 2005

  Mission:

  To learn and educate women in governance, leadership and citizenship through becoming the (fictional) 51st state in the US.

• Cadet/Twin Cities Regional Science Fair Judge

  Volunteering · Air Force ROTC

  2006 – 2008

  Mission:

  To serve the community through various project initiatives.

• Volunteer in the ER, Surgery Welcome Center and Front Desk

  Volunteering · Beaver Dam Community Hospital

  2010 – 2012

  Mission:

  To help patient and families coming into the ER department feel comfortable, seen, and taken care of when the ER staff is busy.