How did you decide on the history major?
Choosing a major(s) has been, by far, the toughest decision I have had to make as an undergraduate. I originally hoped to major in biology, but realized very quickly that I had a strong passion for history. At the beginning of the second semester of my freshman year, I switched majors and registered for my first history classes at Mason. I loved all of them! In fact, my professor for one of those classes is now my research mentor, and we have been working on our project for a year now.
Are you minoring or double majoring in anything else? If so, how do the two work together – or separately?
As of right now, I am aiming for a dual degree with a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Neuroscience. How do these subjects work together? I am still working on answering that question. I feel very strongly that there is an innate relationship between history and science, and this has become the focus of my independent research. Although history and neuroscience seem like two distinct fields of study, I have been amazed to find clear overlaps between the subjects. For example, my current research is concerned with the possibility of epigenetic inheritance of PTSD, post-sectarian violence, in specific Northern Irish populations.
What have you learned in a history class that really surprised you/changed your perspective?
I don’t think I could pick just one! Honestly, I have loved all of the history classes I have taken at Mason. Professor Wade’s “Rise of Russia” and “Modern Russia and the Soviet Union” are two of my favorite classes I have taken so far. I had never really learned much about Russian history, and was excited to find the subject extremely fascinating. I have tried to focus most of my classes in European history, but have also enjoyed the American history classes I have taken as well. Professor Crew’s “Underground Railroad” class was very eye opening, and Professor Hamner’s “Civil War and Reconstruction” class forced me to examine the Civil War from perspectives I had never considered. As a freshman, I took a class on Irish nationalism, and the topic has become the core of the research I have been working on for the past year. Before taking this class I had almost no knowledge of Irish history, and I was surprised to find the subject captivating. My research exposed me to that importance of how different groups of people remember their history through their identity and collective memory. In all, I have found a great value in the history classes I have taken at Mason. Majoring in history has not only strengthened my synthesis and analytical skills but has also given me confidence in my abilities as an academic scholar.
Tell us about your dream occupation…
Within the next year, I will be applying to genetic counseling programs. Ever since learning about the occupation in high school, I have longed to be a genetic counselor. I have always wanted to pursue a career in the sciences, but am positive that my background in history will give me the necessary analytical and problem-solving skills needed to have a successful career in this field. This summer I will be shadowing a genetic counselor at EVMS, and I am so excited!
Have you had any internships? Or interesting jobs or volunteer experience? Tell us about it/them.
I have participated in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program throughout the past year. I received funding to research for the summer of 2013 and the spring of 2014. I am hoping to continue my research this summer. This OSCAR program has allowed me to grow into the confident researcher I am today. I have gained a great deal of valuable experience and have received amazing opportunities through URSP.
I have recently begun working as a peer tutor in the Writing Center here at Mason. It is so great! I love helping students better not only their papers, but also their skills as academic writers. Working in the Writing Center has been the most challenging and rewarding experience I have had at Mason. Tutoring has forced me to approach a topic from angles and perspectives that I had never thought of, and I have also learned so much from the students I have worked with.
This past summer I worked as a research assistant in a cognitive and behavioral psychology lab here at Mason. I assisted graduate students with their EEG studies by helping put EEG caps on the participants. The opportunity was a lot of fun and I learned a great deal about psychological data collection.
Although it has nothing to do with academics, I was approved to volunteer at the White House Easter Egg Roll. I am so excited to see what experiences this opportunity brings!
Any accomplishments you’re proud of? Opportunities you’ve taken advantage of? Brag a little!
Last year, I was chosen by my Honors 110 professor to present at the Honors College Spring Research Exhibition. I was also chosen to present at the Virginia Collegiate Honors Conference, where I was awarded the Independent Research Award. This was very exciting for me because my Honors 110 research was concerned with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS), a subject I am very passionate about and hope to shed light on.
In November of 2013, I was accepted to present my research at the American Conference for Irish Studies’ Regional Conference. I was so excited to have the opportunity to present my research at a professional conference as an undergraduate. The conference was so much fun, and I learned so much by talking with other scholars in Irish history. I have also my presented research at the CHSS Undergraduate Research Symposium and at the URSP Celebration of Student Scholarship.
The accomplishment I am most proud of is being about to graduate from Mason in three years. Although my time as an undergraduate has been stressful and jam-packed, I am glad that I will get a head start on my graduate work.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
I have played piano since for fourteen years. For me, tickling the ivories is the best way to relax.