AMCAS Work and Activities Section

Chemistry Research, Monmouth College, 01/2020 - 05/2022 (800 hours)

I have been working on chemistry research part time through the school years and will be doing this full time during the upcoming summer through the Doc Kieft Research Program. My research is focused on exploring the chemical mechanism behind Acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity during overdose using a model enzyme for cytochrome P450s and an array of instrumentation in order to isolate, identify and characterize the intermediates and products of this reaction. So far, we have pieced together a proposed mechanism of radically mediated polymerization of Acetaminophen, which we are collectively working towards a manuscript.

I was heavily involved in the collection and analysis of data, which I became independent in. I worked closely with my PI and another student, and often solicited faculty of differing specialties to explore other experimental interests. In doing so, I was able to generate fruitful discussions that led to intriguing results. For instance, my collaboration with a microbiologist led to testing products from our main reactions as antimicrobials for a variety of bacteria, which yielded productive outcomes. This research taught me to troubleshoot solutions in clever ways, to communicate both my findings and obstacles clearly, and to pay extensive attention to detail. I find the investigative way of thinking that research requires very exciting and see its relation to clinical outcomes as entirely significant to my interest in pursuing medicine. It has been thrilling to come to novel conclusions and learn in a way that connects back to patient care and specific observations I made as an EMT, in which I have observed Acetaminophen overdoses first hand. Ultimately, this mentorship by my PI was pivotal in defining the role research will play in my future and allowed me to recognize that I want to demonstrate a union of clinical acumen and investigative excellence.

Volunteer Firefighting, Central Warren Fire Department, 10/2018 - 05/2022 (400 hours)

I began volunteer firefighting for the rural villages of Cameron and Kirkwood during my Freshman year of college and continue to do so. Volunteering in this medically underserved area, I assist the rest of my crew as both a firefighter and EMT in responding to 911 calls such as medical emergencies, car accidents, and fires. I remain on call at all times outside of other commitments. Biweekly training sessions allow myself and others to practice various scenarios in order to get comfortable using equipment and working as a team. This could range from training for search and rescue, managing the water pumps, or tearing apart junk cars using auto extrication equipment.

Often, emergency calls are spontaneous. I and others must stop what we’re doing and quickly get to our central station at a moment's notice, and respond to the call’s locations with less than adequate information available. One such time, I found myself heading to a structure fire to support another fire department. After weaving through traffic, what was initially reported as a small fire over the radio had come to engulf an entire house. I manned the hose as support just outside of the house and worked to give the rest of my crew an opening for a search and rescue. The heat at this point had become so intense that it felt as if the sweat on my chest was boiling. Working as a team of eight, we were able to contain the fire from spreading and help the two occupants get out. While the experience of helping this family escape the ensuing inferno was energizing, I found myself more concerned with the woman who was destined for the nearest burn unit. This enlightened me to get my EMT-B license so I could further assist the department and explore healthcare. Volunteering here, I was able to gain my first pertinent patient care experiences, the ability to improvise in critical circumstances, develop essential teamwork skills, and ultimately serve my under-resourced community in an impactful and rewarding way.

Emergency Department Tech, OSF St. Francis, 01/2021 - 05/2021 (400 hours)

As a part time technician, I worked 25 hours a week in a level 1 trauma center while studying full time. I worked closely with a large team of physicians and nurses to perform EKGs, CPR, phlebotomy, rounds on patients, wound care, splinting, and provide assistance with procedures. In the 4 months that I worked in this emergency room, I witnessed and participated in a variety of medical cases among a diverse patient population and developed many hands-on clinical skills while refining my medical knowledge and bedside manner.

For instance, in April, while rounding on patients, I noticed a concerning lack of coherence in a patient who no longer appeared alert and orientated. Considering this rapid development, I immediately notified the attending physician. The patient was diagnosed with having a stroke after a positive FAST exam and was resultantly administered TPA within the hour. In this way I was able to function as an important part of the patient care team on a busy night, which led to the quick recognition of a potentially debilitating condition. From situations like this, I learned the importance of diligence and paying attention to detail even in the most routine situations. I also learned to prioritize tasks, anticipate the needs of the physicians and nurses, and manage my time in order to be efficient. Additionally, I improved upon my interpersonal skills which included being more understanding and altering my care to fit each patient’s individual needs. In part, this came from observations of how physicians demonstrated good bedside manner by encouraging questions and providing reassurance to develop trust with their patients. I believe my time working in this high stress, fast paced environment allowed me to gain more meaningful clinical experiences that have defended my trajectory to medical school.

EMT-B, Advanced Medical Transport, 06/2019 - 01/2020 (400 hours)

On a 911 ambulance service, I assessed patients from a variety of scenarios and transported them to a hospital in the urban environment of Peoria. This got me out of my comfort zone and taught me to develop trust and reassurance with patients. I came to understand common concerns of a wide array of patients and how to quickly and accurately obtain information, sometimes under high-pressure situations. Additionally, I was also contracted out to work at OSF St. Luke's ER, which is in a community where many residents are below the poverty level and geographically isolated. Both proved invaluable to my understanding of the healthcare field and challenges patients face with affording services.

Collegiate Tennis, Monmouth College, 12/2020 - 05/2022 (1000 hours)

Playing college Tennis was the perfect complement to the discipline and commitment I bring to my academics, and having the time to de-stress allows me the calm concentration I need to perform effectively in my courses. Two pertinent things I picked up from this sport were time management skills and teamwork. Teamwork played an important role in doubles matches, in which we had to strategize and pick each other up after bad rallies if we were to be successful. Time management skills played a larger role outside of tennis. I had to allocate my time efficiently in order to practice and attend matches hours away from home while also having a full course load and working in the ER 3 nights a week

Crew Leader, Bayer Crop Science, 05/2017 - 08/2019 (2000 hours)

This was my first job. I worked full time in the summers and during the semester in the fall. After working here for a year, I was promoted to crew leader where I supervised other seasonal employees 8 hours a day in collecting notes on genetically engineered corn, wheat, and soybean physiology during the planting and harvest seasons. In this pollen filled environment, I would guide these seasonal workers in appropriately collecting this data in an efficient manner. In this way, it was rewarding to function as an integral part of the USDA approval process for the genetically engineered seeds that would eventually help the world meet the food demands of tomorrow.

Pre-Health Club President, Monmouth College, 08/2020 - 05/2022 (100 hours)

Junior year, I was elected president of my college’s pre-health club after participating as a member. I took initiative by setting up and coordinating meetings for the 50 members we have and discussed opportunities to explore health careers with intrigued students. In this way, I helped younger premeds get clinical and shadowing experiences. I also applied and received funding for the class' MCATs so they would not need to worry about the expense of an already stressful test. Workshops that taught and introduced clinical skills such as phlebotomy, CPR/AED training, suturing, and ultrasound sonography were also organized for student participation.

General Chemistry Teaching Assistant, Monmouth College, 08/2019 - 03/2020 (100 hours)

Working in the general chemistry lab, I set up the necessary materials required to complete the lab and helped students with any questions they had as well as understanding the concepts they were experimenting with. Having been through more advanced chemistry classes at this point, I initially struggled with explaining concepts that seemed rudimentary and obvious to me. Through practice, I was able to adapt from this and simplify such concepts in order to better assist the students in their learning. This is a skill I look forward to refining as I approach medical school, where I will have to further simplify complex issues into understandable language for patients.

Traveling, Hobby

College allowed me to travel to Spain, Belize, El Salvador, and Guatemala where I was exposed to different languages and cultures for about 2 weeks in each country. One of the biggest things that traveling has taught me is how to make do. For instance, when the bridge to a cool hike is flooded over, then start the hike there. Or when my bed isn’t so comfortable, just make it work. If there isn’t a place to wash clothes, then just find a water source. At one point, I discovered that not everything can be planned and organizing everything isn’t an option. I just had to get out of my comfort zone and experience the world. I learned that sometimes aimless wandering can be the best part of the journey.

Strength Training, Hobby

Over the years, weight lifting provided me with an outlet to de-stress and time to relieve my frustrations from everything else going on in my life. I slowly made strength gains in this pursuit of lifting heavy objects and putting them back down. Being a long term goal orientated person, I value this progress over the long run, which makes strength training the perfect activity. In essence, this sport allows me to remain both physically and mentally fit as I approach my other goals. This has been a passion of mine since high school and I plan on continuing it indefinitely as I look forward to medical school and its associated stresses.

Cadaver Lab, Monmouth College, 08/2020 - 05/2022 (50 hours)

Working on dissection, I was able to explore the anatomy of the human body and my specific interests in the nervous system. Hence, I dissected the brain and spinal cord with my time in this voluntary lab. Doing so, I noticed how tightly the meninges cling to the brain and skull as I struggled to remove the skull cap using a bone saw. After failing to remove it myself, my professor jumped in to help. To my surprise, this seasoned veteran put his entire back into ripping the skull cap from the rest of the head. I had the sudden epiphany of just how well protected the brain was. I realized this structure-function relationship was the intellectual motivation I was seeking in this activity

Biology Research, Monmouth College, 01/2021 - 07/2021 (150 hours)

January through May 2021, I participated in Dr. Ugolino’s research into Kufor Rakeb Syndrome using C. elegans as a model organism. Here I was able to investigate the loss of function mutation in this form of familial Parkinson’s Disease. In May of 2021 with Dr. Godde, I also spent a week in the Missouri Ozarks catching/taking swab samples from bats and subsequently isolating their Coronavirus RNA and reverse transcribing it into cDNA in order to ultimately sequence and compare it to previously documented Coronaviruses such as Covid-19. Working on these projects further intrigued me with the potential to meld research into a clinical practice.

National Conference Presentation, American Chemical Society, 04/2021

I was chosen by my PI to present my chemistry research concerning the mechanism of Acetaminophen oxidation via cytochrome P450s during overdose conditions at the ACS Spring 2021 National Conference. The abstract was titled "One electron oxidation of Acetaminophen"