Aspiring ophthalmic pathologist with a passion for translational research, medical device development, and teaching.
Introduction
I am an MD-PhD candidate at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), where I have developed a deep commitment to evidence-based medicine and translational research. My experiences have shaped my aspiration to pursue a residency in pathology.
Originally from Severna Park, Maryland, I have been fortunate to have had diverse experiences across a variety of environments that have equipped me with strong clinical reasoning skills, meaningful research contributions, and a genuine dedication to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy making moneygami (origami out of dollar bills!), creating fun trinkets and gadgets through 3D printing and electronics, mentoring pre-medical students, and exploring the potential applications of AI.
Academic Background
2018 – Present
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) — Galveston, TX
USMLE Step 1: 237 · USMLE Step 2: 274 · AOA Member
2020 – 2024
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmacology & Toxicology
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) — Galveston, TX
GPA: 4.0 / 4.0 · National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences T32 Trainee (T32ES007254-28S1)
Thesis: "Acrolein-Induced Ocular Injury: Biphasic Inflammatory Cascade in the Cornea and Progressive Retinal Damage"
2017 – 2018
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Research Fellow
US Food and Drug Administration — Silver Spring, MD
Post-baccalaureate research fellowship in the Optical Diagnostic Devices Laboratory in the Division of Biomedical Physics.
Main Project: "Quantitative Mobile Phone-Based Hyperspectral Imaging for Point-of-Care Tissue Oximetry"
2013 – 2017
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Bioengineering
University of Maryland at College Park — College Park, MD
GPA: 3.73 / 4.0 · Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program Scholar · Dean's List · AEMB Member
Scholarly Work
Peer-Reviewed Publications
In Preparation
Ocular toxicity of acrolein: mechanisms, assessment, and clinical implicationsIn Prep
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology
In Review
Longitudinal multimodal imaging of the corneal response to topical acrolein exposureIn Review
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
2023
Noninvasive evaluation of retinal vascular alterations in a mouse model of optic neuritis using laser speckle flowgraphy and optical coherence tomography angiographyPublished
Cells. 2023 Nov 22;12(23):2685.
Link to article →2023
Semi-automated micro-computed tomography lung segmentation and analysis in mouse modelsPublished
MethodsX. 2023 Apr 20;10:102198.
Link to article →2022
Quantification of leukocyte trafficking in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis through in vivo imagingPublished
EC Ophthalmology. 2022 Oct 6;13(11):02-10.
Link to article →2022
Concentration-associated pathology of alkali burn in a mouse model using anterior segment optical coherence tomography with angiographyPublished
Experimental Eye Research. 2022 Aug 17;223:109210.
Link to article →2022
Spatial-temporal speckle variance in the en-face view as a contrast for optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)Published
Sensors (Basel). 2022 Mar 22;22(7):2447.
Link to article →2019
Cerebral oximetry performance testing with a 3D-printed vascular array phantomPublished
Biomedical Optics Express. 2019 Jul 2;10(8):3731-3746.
Link to article →2019
Phantom-based evaluation of near-infrared intracerebral hematoma detector performancePublished
Journal of Biomedical Optics. 2019 Apr 15;24(4):045001.
Link to article →2018
Biomimetic 3D-printed neurovascular phantoms for near-infrared fluorescence imagingPublished
Biomedical Optics Express. 2018 May 29;9(6):2810-2824.
Link to article →2018
3D mesoscopic fluorescence tomography for imaging micro-distribution of antibody-photon absorber conjugates during near infrared photoimmunotherapy in vivoPublished
Journal of Controlled Release. 2018 Apr 16;279:171-180.
Link to article →2017
Imaging stem cell distribution, growth, migration, and differentiation in 3-D scaffolds for bone tissue engineering using mesoscopic fluorescence tomographyPublished
Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2017 Sep 16;115(1):E-pub.
Link to article →2017
Real-time monitoring of microdistribution of antibody-photon absorber conjugates during photoimmunotherapy in vivoPublished
Journal of Controlled Release. 2017 Aug 28;260:154-163.
Link to article →2017
High-dynamic-range fluorescence laminar optical tomography (HDR-FLOT)Published
Biomedical Optics Express. 2017 Mar 9;8(4):2124-2137.
Link to article →2016
Depth-resolved imaging of colon tumor using optical coherence tomography and fluorescence laminar optical tomographyPublished
Biomedical Optics Express. 2016 Nov 21;7(12):5218-5232.
Link to article →2016
Review of mesoscopic optical tomography for depth-resolved imaging hemodynamic changes and neural activitiesPublished
Neurophotonics. 2016 Nov 14;4(1):011009.
Link to article →2015
Daily affective and behavioral forecasts in romantic relationships: seeing tomorrow through the prism of todayPublished
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2015 May 28;41(7):1005-1019.
Link to article →Selected Conference Abstracts
ARVO 2025
Multimodal imaging and biochemical analysis of long-term corneal response to topical acrolein exposure
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, ARVO, 2025. Abstract no. B0160.
Link to abstract →OSHWA 2024
Eurus: Emergency Use ResUscitator System
Open Hardware Summit, Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), 2024.
Link to abstract →SOT 2023
Exposure assessment of acrolein-induced corneal injury through non-invasive monitoring of biomarkers
Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, 2023. Abstract no. 3142.
Link to abstract →The 15th Annual CounterACT Research Network Symposium
Detection and quantification of image-based biomarkers for monitoring acrolein-induced ocular injury using optical coherence tomography
The 15th Annual CounterACT Research Network Symposium, CounterACT, 2022.
Link to abstract →SPIE 2022
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for the visualization and quantification of dose-dependent ocular toxicity
Proceedings of the SPIE 11941, 2022. Abstract no. BO109-28.
Link to abstract →SOT 2021
Assessment of corneal alkali injury in a murine model with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)
Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, 2021. Abstract no. 2268.
Link to abstract →SPIE 2021
Single-frame optical coherence tomography angiography for the quantification of corneal neovascularization in a mouse model
Proceedings of the SPIE 11623, 2021. Abstract no. BO107-71.
Link to abstract →SPIE 2018
Hyperspectral imaging with near-infrared-enabled mobile phones for tissue oximetry
Proceedings of the SPIE 10485, 2018. Abstract no. 10485-11.
Link to abstract →Recognition
Sep 2025
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society
UTMB School of Medicine — Top 20% of graduating class
June 2025
Harry B and Marie S Kelso Endowed Blocker Scholarship
University of Texas Medical Branch
June 2025
Minnie and Ward Savage Endowed Award Scholarship
University of Texas Medical Branch
Dec 2023
The George Palmer Saunders II Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship
University of Texas Medical Branch
Dec 2023
Edith and Robert Zinn Presidential Scholarship
University of Texas Medical Branch
Dec 2023
Travel Award in Memory of Christina Fleischmann
University of Texas Medical Branch
Aug 2023
Pharmacology and Toxicology Summer Research Symposium: Excellence Among Senior-Level Students
University of Texas Medical Branch
Mar 2023
I2 (Innovation and Impact) Award — Ocular Toxicology Specialty Section
Society of Toxicology (SOT), Sponsored by Biomere
Mar 2023
Covance-OSOD Graduate Student/Postdoctoral Fellow Research Award
Society of Toxicology, Ocular Toxicology Specialty Section
Jan 2023
Edith and Robert Zinn Presidential Scholarship
University of Texas Medical Branch
Aug 2022
Pharmacology and Toxicology Summer Research Symposium: Excellence in Rationale and Approach Award
University of Texas Medical Branch
Mar 2022
SOT Graduate Student Travel Award
Society of Toxicology
Jan 2022
SPIE Graduate Student Travel Award
Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Dec 2021
Blackstone Launchpad IDEA Competition Finalist — Consumer Products & Services
University of Texas Medical Branch
Mar 2021
Poster of the Year Award — Ocular Toxicology Specialty Section
Society of Toxicology
Dec 2020
Travel Award in Memory of Christina Fleischmann
University of Texas Medical Branch
2013–2017
President's Scholarship
University of Maryland
2013–2017
Dean's List
University of Maryland
2013–2017
Integrated Life Sciences Honors Program Scholar
University of Maryland at College Park
Jan 2017
ASPIRE Research Award
University of Maryland at College Park
Aug 2015
ASPIRE Research Award
University of Maryland at College Park
June 2014
Maryland Summer Scholars Award
University of Maryland at College Park
Get in Touch
I welcome inquiries from residency programs, fellow researchers, and medical colleagues. Feel free to reach out through any of the channels below.