Background and Objectives

​I am completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida and am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a track focus in Neuroscience. Alongside this, I am completing a Cognitive Science minor. With this degree and certification, I intend to succeed in my career in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) as well as gain experience in addiction recovery and rehabilitation settings. I am currently a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and I work with an autistic clientele. My exposure to the field of psychiatric and behavioral treatment has been eye-opening to my objectives for the future of my education. From my job, I have learned countless skills, such as conducting behavioral trials (manding, pairing, tacting, maladaptive behavior reduction, etc.), creating trial notes for insurance purposes, and creating connections with other RBTs and Board-Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs). While in this role, I have been able to collaborate with my colleagues and discover new things about graduate school, medical school, and opportunities to earn my Ph.D. or Psy.D. My UCF education has assisted my understanding of the neuropathology of autism, as well as mitigated the challenges that present themselves during my sessions and effective, ethical solutions to ensuring client satisfaction and encouraging learning. My long-term career goal is to become a licensed neuropsychiatrist or a researcher in addiction/substance abuse recovery and provide medical support to as many people as possible. I pushed through high-demand coursework and maintained a strict schedule to get where I am, which has allowed me to expose myself to medical environments that support recovery and treatment. I am a first-generation student, who receives no financial aid from home. My experiences as the President of the Army National Guard Youth Advisory Council (ARNG YAC) have given me the tools to succeed in academically challenging settings, including organization, time management, responsibility, and accountability. As an extension of my leadership experience, I am also a director at Knights for Refugee Medical Relief (KRMR) and the UCF Neuroscience Alliance (NSA). During my education, I was able to experience the trip of a lifetime, a study abroad course in Europe covering contributions to medicine! Learning about past healthcare and scientific discoveries will develop my understanding of psychiatric medicine and alternative therapies. The support of the professors will also expose me to my preferred subjects, Neuroscience and Anatomy. To learn more about my experience, leadership, and passion to assist displaced communities, check out the respective pages.