Graduate Research Assistant (2022-2024)

"Upon embarking on my journey in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Pennsylvania, I was honored to be selected as a Graduate Research Assistant on Dr. Allison Curry’s team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP). Given my background in transportation research, I was drawn to the dedication of this team to improve safety for all road users.  

During my time as a Graduate Research Assistant at CIRP, I primarily worked on our Longitudinal Cohort Study of Driving Among Teens With and Without ADHD and Parents, assisting with participant recruitment, enrollment, and maintenance. In addition, my involvement in Phase 2 of our Drive Focus study enhanced my proficiency in the qualitative research process. I conducted interviews with parents and young adults to gather their feedback on a training system for an app designed for autistic individuals learning to drive. I was thrilled to support these studies with mentorship from Ashley Downs, MPH.

One highlight of my journey was undertaking an independent, quantitative research project, mentored by Kristi Metzger, PhD, MPH and Lauren O’Malley, MPH, which served as my capstone project for my MPH program. This project afforded me invaluable insights into the association between pedestrian injuries from motor vehicle crashes and community resilience. I had the opportunity to present my work at the CIRP Quarterly Research Symposium. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to contribute to our Center’s work.

As my chapter with CIRP ends and I graduate from my MPH program, I depart with an intensified passion for traffic safety, enriched by the wisdom and support given to me by this exceptional team. I am grateful for the opportunities that I had while working at CIRP and am excited to apply the knowledge and skills garnered here to shape my future endeavors in the field."