My body is always in motion. I love any kind of movement, but I’m particularly passionate about running. I’ve been doing it for 11 years, and ran my first half marathon in 2023. I’m starting to get into it more seriously, but I hate treadmills. I only run outside. There’s something about breathing in the fresh air and listening to the sounds of nature that keeps me centered.

Boxing is such a great outlet to release emotions and stress. I recently joined a team to do more of it. I like dance classes, too, like Zumba and Afro Dance. When I go dancing outside of class, I’m super specific about the music. If I’m going out, I’m definitely looking for a DJ spinning 2000s-era R&B!

When I have time off, you’ll usually find me in thrift stores treasure-hunting for unique finds. I love collecting cool, random pieces and finding interesting ways to put them together. Each piece has a story and thinking about who wore it before me brings me a lot of joy. When I’m in the lab, I have to wear long pants and close-toed shoes for safety, but sometimes I can spice it up with a special thrifted find that represents my style.

I love international travel, particularly going abroad for a few months so that I get a chance to really live in a place. It’s less about ticking places off a list and more about really experiencing different cultures. I haven’t had much time for it during my PhD, but the urge to get out there hasn’t gone away. I’m drawn to international travel—those moments when you’re immersed in something unfamiliar. One of the most meaningful trips I helped organize was to Liberia with the Society of Women Engineers. That experience stuck with me, and I still keep in touch with people I met there. It’s not just about the places—it’s the connections and perspective shifts that keep me wanting more.

Going vegan wasn’t just about health or ethics—it was more like, “I need a change.” Before that, I was a total ham-and-cheese person, super basic. I went vegan right before undergrad, figuring it’d be something different as I moved out on my own. I’ve got a serious sweet tooth, so I had to get into vegan baking—like trying to make meringue from chickpea brine. Not everything works out, but that’s part of the fun. When something does, like those cake donuts I made once, it feels worth it.