Biomedical engineer driven to create a better life for her sister

The great reputation of the College of Engineering and Applied Science — and the biomedical engineering department — drew me to the University of Cincinnati. Prior to applying, I explored the research projects and initiatives that they were involved in, and I found them to be amazing! I also saw that many of the graduate students were engaged and successful both inside and outside the program – from then on, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of.

Another major thing that made me choose UC was the African American Cultural and Resource Center. Coming from a Historically Black College and University, I knew that UC was going to be very different. But when I learned about the AACRC, I knew I would find community there. With the initiatives, events, and overall positive representation of Black people and Black culture at UC, I had no doubt it was the top school for me.

I get this question a lot. I studied biology in undergrad, but after a while I didn't feel connected to it anymore. I wanted something different and more challenging. One day I was in my college library browsing graduate school programs and I came across one called biomedical engineering. After learning about this field and what the program offered, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to pursue next. The idea of applying the principles of engineering, biology and medicine to improve health outcomes and benefit society was right up my alley.

My research centers on using machine learning techniques to create non-invasive methods to predict seizures for people living with epilepsy. Ultimately, I want to make easily accessible, affordable, non-invasive and fast-acting seizure prediction methods to be used in both clinical and non-clinical environments.

The inspiration behind my research is my younger sister, Myles. She was diagnosed with epilepsy as an infant and has had unpredictable seizures all her life. I can recall memories of witnessing her seizures at five years old and when I got to graduate school, I decided to do something to help her.

I want to create a device that could predict seizures early and provide a strategy for intervention. With this device, I want to improve the quality of life and reduce anxiety around when the next seizure is coming for my sister and others living with epilepsy. I also want to create something for my mom to have better means of catching seizures early for Myles.

Honestly, I am most proud of earning my Ph.D.! It has been a long time coming. Growing up, I enjoyed school and loved learning about science, but when I got to college, I started to struggle with it (microbiology, organic chemistry, calculus, etc.). In undergrad, I expressed to a faculty member that I was thinking about graduate school and they tried to dissuade me from pursuing it. Despite the discouragement, I was not deterred. I persisted and now I am graduating with a doctoral degree!

I am proud of this major accomplishment, but most of all, I am proud that I persevered and never gave up. What kept me going was my sister, Myles, and my mom. They are my “why.” I always knew that no matter what, I had to see this Ph.D. to the end to help my family and others like them.

I also had to do this for myself as a reminder that no matter how many times I am told that I can't do something, I will always prove that I can!

This summer, I'll be starting a postdoctoral position at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. I'll be continuing my endeavors to enhance seizure prediction while also examining racial disparities in epilepsy treatment within underrepresented communities in the New York area.

I will have the chance to expand my skills and engage in meaningful research that benefits people, especially people that look like me. I'm both nervous and excited to be taking this next, major step in my journey!

Featured image at top: Dominique Tanner giving a presentation. Photo/provided.