BIOGRAPHY

PROFESSIONAL I am a PhD candidate at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, and I hold degrees in studio art (BA, 2010), Russian language and literature (BA, 2010), and nursing (MSN, 2016) from the University of Virginia. I am a registered nurse, and I am certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). I am also an artist with a focus on drawing, illustration, graphic design, and bookmaking.

The purpose that drives my work is alleviating suffering and cultivating joy. In my career, I am taking steps toward this goal through scholarship, writing, advocacy, creative expression, and innovation. My work draws from a diverse set of experiences, including:

research on aging and transgender health;
leadership in creative arts programming for people of all ages;
clinical nursing in long-term care and hospice;
teaching in the arts and in nursing;
training in mediation and conflict resolution.

My desire to explore multidisciplinary pathways was reinforced by an older adult I met during my early work engaging with people with dementia through the creative arts. She said, “You have to learn in all directions.” With her words in mind, I see shifts in focus throughout my work history not as career changes but as learning opportunities to build an expansive and multifaceted skillset. I view my career as a continuous process of learning, creating, and giving to my community.

PERSONAL I have lived in Virginia for most of my life minus a period of three years in Pennsylvania during which I had the privilege of caring for and spending quality time with my grandmother in the last years of her life. I love all things creative especially making art and writing poetry and short stories. I find solace in nature, so I enjoy spending time outside, walking, and hiking. I also enjoy learning languages: I have studied Spanish, Russian, Latin, and Sanskrit through various academic and study abroad programs. Whether it’s learning a new language, experimenting with a new art medium or taking a new trail to admire the views from a mountain overlook, I love exploring new pathways, and I have gained wisdom and understanding along the way.