I have been a scientist with a passion for genetics since June of 2000 when I started my predoctoral training at the University of South Carolina investigating tumorigenesis. During my postdoctoral training, I strengthened my ability and understanding of genetics through identification of new gene functions using forward genetic screens. I am currently a staff scientist in the Abhinav Diwan laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis where my goal is to discover the genetic mechanisms of starvation and refeeding in C. elegans with the intention of applying this knowledge to mitigate damage caused by myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in humans.