Could you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of California, Riverside, Class of 2018.

What first got you interested in the healthcare field as a career choice? There are a lot of career options in the field -nursing, physician assistant, etc., what made you decide that genetic counseling was the right practice area/career choice for you?

My decision to pursue genetic counseling stems from a personal experience where a loved one’s illness or disorder went undetected and the joy I found in working as a Behavioral Interventionist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. These experiences allowed me to realize that my passion is not just in helping families manage mental illness but also in getting to the root of the problem, so that children and their parents need not struggle at the outset.

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education and in particular in pursuing your Genetic Counseling degree?

In my culture, many times mental illness or genetic disabilities/disorders are mistaken for weakness and there are many cultural stigmas placed around such issues. At first, I was misunderstood for wanting to pursue genetic counseling, however I feel that my passion for this field will allow me to provide informed and culturally sensitive counseling for those who are blinded by societal and cultural biases.

Once you decided to pursue a Genetic Counseling degree, how did you know that KGI was the right school for you?

Coming from a public university with over 20,000 undergraduates, I value KGI’s small class sizes and emphasis on collaboration instead of competition in the classroom. Moreover, the faculty and program leadership’s dedication to realizing students’ goals and ensuring the program’s success gives me confidence in my decision to attend KGI.

What are you most looking forward to about beginning your Genetic Counseling studies at KGI?

I am looking forward to growing alongside KGI’s newly developed genetics program, connecting with like-minded students and faculty, and becoming one step closer to achieving my career goals!

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I began flying alone, coast to coast, at the age of 3 and since have evolved into an avid traveler. I am always seeking the next adventure and am more than halfway to my goal of visiting all fifty states before the age of 35!