I graduated from Cornell University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry.  While at Cornell, I worked with Prof. Geoff Coates on the development of new catalysts for epoxide carbonylation.  After graduating, I did an internship at GE Global Research before coming to the University of Illinois in the fall of 2003.

Now I am a 5th year graduate student on the self-healing polymer project.  My research involves synthesizing link-functionalized polymers to study mechanically responsive units, ultimately for creating self-reinforcing or self-assessing materials.

Outside of lab, I like to do anything involvoing sports.  I was on the diving team in college, but more recently I have taken up tennis and golf.  I also like to rock climb and enjoy watching Broadway shows.  Additionally, I head the Community Outreach program at the University of Illinois, where we perform demonstrations in the community to expose young students to the field of chemistry.