Cougar Queries is a series profiling BYU employees by asking them questions about their work, interests and life.
BYU employee since… 2014
My job at BYU is… associate professor. I get to teach in the medical laboratory science program and run a research lab to study human genetics.
I’m currently working on… separating out genetic components of multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease in individuals with varied genetic ancestries.
I’m currently reading… "The Great Influenza" by John Barry, "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee and "Forged in Love" by Mary Connealy.
Three things that are always found in my refrigerator are… raspberry yogurt, smoked gouda and pickled radish (for Korean kimbap).
My favorite part about teaching is… helping students find options and opportunities for their lives that they didn’t know existed.
When I have 30 minutes of free time, you can find me… playing a game with my kids or reading a book.
My advice to incoming freshmen is… do your best at whatever you are doing. Even if it’s not something you plan to build on later, you will be surprised at how doing your best will open future doors.
My go-to BYU Creamery ice cream flavor is… mint brownie or raspberry cream cheese, depending on if I feel like chocolate that day.
I chose to come to BYU because... I wanted to help undergraduate students as they prepare for their futures and, for those interested, learn about medical laboratory science and human genetics!
My most cherished memory at BYU is… regularly playing board games with neighbors and friends, which led my husband and I to get to know each other, then date and get married.
On Saturday mornings you’ll find me… helping my kids clean the basement or out on an adventure with my family.
