My Story

Growing up with divorced parents, a familial history of substance abuse, facing troubles with money, and being the first in my family to go to college, there were many expectations of me as the eldest daughter to be a good role model and break the cycle of poverty and trauma that my family had long experienced. I’ve strived to give everything my all, to triumph against the cards of life I was dealt, to succeed, and make my family proud. I was incredibly self-motivated to make a name for myself and make my family, as well as myself, proud. Much of what I’ve achieved is due to my sheer determination, stubbornness, and ability to seek out resources when I had few of my own.

Through volunteering in a recovery program for children affected by various forms of trauma, I realized that a career in mental health, therapy, research, and clinical assessment was ultimately the path I was fated to pursue. These experiences opened my eyes to the vast ventures we as humans face and how I could guide the future generation into a world filled with hope, now that I have better access to those resources. With this, I've become an SDSU MARC Scholar who has research interests that align with the study of the interrelationship of nature and nurture in the context of mental illnesses, disorders, and disabilities. My hope is to one day practice clinical or counseling psychology while doing some form of research on the side, as a mental health advocate and spokesperson for those who need it most.

My "Research and Career Interests" Page goes into greater detail about what I'm specifically interested in in regards to psychological research and the clientele I'd love to involve myself with. 

Academic Resume

Last updated 04/10/2025; see "Contact" Page to find details as to where you can contact me and to visit my LinkedIn Site, which will have the most up-to-date information.