Hobbies and Interests
Addy has loved reading since she was a little girl. She was reading Nicholas Sparks books in middle school. She likes to be active and go to the gym, play volleyball, or go on adventures with her friends. Addy is also an eclectic music lover—whether that be learning a new instrument, practicing the piano, dancing, or listening to new albums. She loves to travel as well—she studied abroad in Spain last summer.
Why Genetics?
Addy knew she wanted to study genetics when she was a freshman in high school. It was important to her to have a career in something that she was passionate about. Like all students, she was required to take biology in her freshman year of high school, where she first got to learn more about genetics. To her surprise, she realized she was enjoying learning about it, and she wanted to learn more. She was fortunate that her high school offered a “Genetics and Biotechnology” class, which she took during her junior year. During that class, she discovered the genetic counseling career, which has aspects of her two favorite subjects—genetics and psychology. Once she learned about that job, she knew it was what she wanted to do.
Why should students be exposed to career options while in high school?
There are a lot of jobs out there, and it can feel intimidating to have to just pick one. Being exposed to career options earlier helps students figure out what they’re passionate about and jobs that are in that field. Without the Genetics and Biotechnology class that my high school offered, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to talk to a genetic counselor and get a closer look at what the job looks like on a day-to-day basis. Getting to listen to that genetic counselor present what she does in her job, I wouldn’t be so sure if genetic counseling is what I want to pursue.
What do you hope to get out of working in the PROMISE lab?
I’m now halfway through undergrad and yet I feel extremely under-prepared for what’s to come in grad school, so hopefully working in the PROMISE lab will give me experience in a lab and working with others. One of my goals is to just feel more comfortable with what I’m doing in a lab overall, and I can’t wait to learn!
Addy is super excited to work in the PROMISE lab and learn new lab techniques and engage with K-12 students!
