What's your major?

Crop Sciences concentrating in Plant Protection, minoring in chemistry, statistics and horticulture.

Where are you from?

Queens, New York City

Why or how did you pick your major in the Department of Crop Sciences?

I joined without knowing much about Crop Sciences, rather wanting to work with plants. Applying here was a rather last-minute decision for me; I was initially planning on being a chemical engineer but decided to come here for agriculture after realizing I loved working with food production and plants from working at the Queens Botanical Garden back in NYC. Being a chemical engineer felt so much less inspired. Coming here to work on my passion was one of the best choices in my life!

What is your favorite part of being a student in the Department of Crop Sciences?

I love the support and faculty network available to students here at Crop Sciences. Being a smaller program, you can get to know a lot of the faculty very well and vice versa. I feel that each faculty member I talk to knows me and my goals personally and supports me in pursuing those goals. Whether through doing research or aiding in my learning outside of the classroom, if you reach out, everyone is incredibly supportive and an amazing asset to your learning and growth as a student and professional.

Tell us a little bit of what do you do outside of classes?

I work at the Horticulture club here as the membership director organizing events and leading workshops. It’s a lot of fun and a great experience outside of the classroom where I can showcase my love for plants to people outside of the department. I also conduct research with USDA-ARS ecologist Dr. Marty Williams on commercial lima bean production and weed management in lima beans, which I’ve been doing since freshman year. That has been an insightful experience into research and what graduate school will be like, which I really appreciate. For fun, I like to do taekwondo, go fishing, cook, and play fighting games!

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I am looking for graduate programs to apply to currently, specifically working on weed science in specialty (vegetable) crop production.

What is one thing you want people to know about being an undergraduate student in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois?

All the faculty members here want to see you succeed and get to know you more! When you find a specific area or class you feel strongly about, talk to your professor! There are always opportunities to get more involved whether through research or through various activities. I really got into weed science with Dr. Patrick Tranel here after he invited me to compete in the North Central Weed Science Society’s weeds contest, which I loved. Even if they don’t have a position open in their lab, they may be able to point you to someone who does!