Tell us about your current job post UCI:
I work for AM TRACE as a Case Navigator. My job directly relates to the ongoing public health crisis and everyday I get to work with some of the greatest most empathic people so everyday feels really important. I was recently promoted from a Case Investigator to a Case Navigator so I manage my own team of Case Investigators. I am excited to see what the future of public health is and I am eager to be a part of making important changes to keep us aware of oncoming threats.
Who inspires you?
My professor, Dr. Terry Schmidt. He passed away a couple years ago but I always think about how exciting he made public health. How passionate he got and how much time and attention he would give me when I would talk to him about potential projects. I’d like to think that he’d be happy with how UCI responded to the pandemic.
What is your favorite UCI memory?
Well, I want to shoutout to two programs that are near and dear to my heart, The Public Health Association for giving me a place to grow as a student interested in Public Health but having a warm and welcoming place to share my thoughts and theories about what can and cannot work in the field. And the other is the summer session’s Transfer Edge Program. As a transfer, it can be hard to make friends but 6 years after that program I am still so lucky to call the people I met during that program family and so I really want to highlight how important that program is to me.
What is your favorite quote or message to current students?
“Change is slow but if you keep fighting it does come” – Dick Gregory
