Illumination Night at Smith College, 2024
I am a graduate of Smith College (B.A., Major in Neuroscience, Minor in Philosophy). I am most drawn to the fields of medicine (in particular, caring for children), research (studying children’s development), and music (Classical Viola, West African Drumming, and Medical Ethnomusicology).
I have enjoyed being as a research assistant at MIT in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences for the past 3 years, working with children and their families (and my wonderful mentors). I plan to pursue an MD in a pediatrics specialty and a PhD in developmental psychology and developmental cognitive neuroscience. This summer, I am excited to work in pediatric anesthesia. In addition, I plan to continue playing classical viola and learning piano and composition.
My musical training began with lively, global introductions to West African drumming, recorder, piano, voice, and eurythmics. My foundation in learning viola by the Suzuki method––which included intensive technique, music theory, ear training, and rhythm––has inspired me to explore other musical disciplines. In my sophomore year of high school, I designed two independent research studies: the first on the neuroscience of music (see the page titled as such for my final project) and the second on ethnomusicology. In my senior year of high school, I designed a year-long Capstone project on W. A. Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro which culminated in a dynamic 45-minute presentation to students and faculty. During the pandemic, I sought to create in order to bring my internal and external environments together in harmony. So, I created Memos From the World for the WOZQ 91.9 Smith College radio (see associated page).