Alison is a PhD candidate at the Swanson School of Engineering, specializing in Bioengineering with a focus on kidney cancer mechanisms and renal tissue engineering. Her passion for advancing knowledge in her field is driven by a commitment to improving treatment options for patients.
Before embarking on her doctoral journey, Alison earned her BS in Biological Science from Biola University. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a teaching assistant in Biology labs and gained invaluable research experience in Dr. Richard Gunasekera’s lab, where she explored molecular nanomachines and their UV light-activated properties for targeting prostate cancer cells.
Alison was selected for a prestigious summer internship at the City of Hope, where she worked under Dr. WenYong Chen. Her research focused on the differences in stem cell niches in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, further solidifying her interest in regenerative medicine.
Continuing her education, Alison attended the University of Southern California, where she obtained her Master of Science in Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine from the Keck School of Medicine. During her academic journey, she has co-authored three publications and aspires to contribute even further to the growing body of knowledge in bioengineering and regenerative medicine.
A passionate advocate for #WomeninSTEM, Alison aims to one day successfully regenerate a fully functional kidney from human cells.
Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys dancing, painting, baking, gardening, and having game nights with friends.