About Me
I am a second-year Master's student in Health Services at the University of Washington. The M.S. Health Services program is designed to build a strong skill set in research methodology and analytics, with the end goal of addressing population health issues through program implementation and policy change. I center my own work around the human impacts of anthropogenic climate change, disasters, and the resultant health disparities. As our planet continues to heat up and environmental hazards become more difficult to predict, we are all responsible for stepping up to the plate and promoting rapid adaptation and resilience.
As a "storyteller" at heart, I believe I have an important role to play in this work. By communicating my own and others' research findings in compelling and accessible ways, I aim to drive engagement amongst the public as well as policymakers and be a catalyst for decisive action.
My background in healthcare helped me arrive where I am today. I worked as an EMT in New Orleans, Lousiana for several years. During that time, I treated patients through multiple hurricanes, a tornado, and the Covid pandemic. I saw the way these disasters combined with existing socioeconomic injustices to exacerbate health disparities. On moving back home to Seattle, I began to work in the Medicaid space as a community health worker. I helped patients navigate homelessness and chronic health conditions during extreme heat events and winter storms, often with no wider system in place to assist. It's these experiences and more which motivate my interest in environmental justice and policy work.
Head over to the Projects gallery to further explore some of my work. Of course, don't hesitate to reach out and start a conversation at my email as well!
Outside of Work
I live in Seattle, WA with my partner and our Malinois / Shar-Pei mix, Tex. We spend much of our free time backpacking and camping throughout the PNW. Closer to home, I enjoy cooking and playing videogames. When the weather is favorable, I'll often do some amateur mushroom foraging as well as growing some culinary fungi at home.
Despite my student budget, I'm passionate about travel and try to make at least one international trip each year. Most recently, we've spent some time in Greece as well as Aotearoa/New Zealand, with a potential trip planned to Portugal in 2026. In the future, I'll be keeping the Blog updated with my latest adventures, so definitely check that out!