I am currently a third year medical student and the digital creator of @functional.foods, which has garnered 210K engaged health/wellness enthusiasts and foodies on Instagram. I use my social platform to empower others to take self-responsibility for their health and equip them with the knowledge necessary for living a healthy, happy, and sustainable lifestyle.

My journey to medicine began as an undergraduate student in the biological sciences, where I initially pursued the stereotypical track of one day becoming a doctor. As a former NCAA Division I swimmer at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), I found myself with an overwhelming number of avenues to explore following graduation.

While training post-grad for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials the following summer, I initially dabbled with the idea of pursuing a career in research. I worked part-time at the Neuroscience Research Institute at UCSB under the guidance of Dr. Pete Coffey, an internationally recognized retinal biologist, who extended to me an invitation to join his laboratory for the study of age-related macular degeneration.

I split my time working downtown as a Clinical Research Assistant at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, where I assisted with the conduction of clinical research trials that were primarily focused on the development and feasibility of an Artificial Pancreas System for the treatment of Type 1 diabetics. It was this clinical exposure that ultimately catalyzed my decision to pursue a career in clinical care.

My passion for helping and educating others, along with my background as an athlete, ultimately inspired me to pursue a career as a doctor that takes an integrative, holistic, and preventative approach to medicine using various therapeutic modalities. I have always been a firm believer in educating others about their health and believe physicians have the unique opportunity to be a teacher and a mentor.

I currently oversee the nutrition division for Under Armour’s Human Performance System where I share my passion for food is medicine and consult with some of the world’s top athletes. I will graduate with my medical degree in June of 2021 and plan to open up my own integrative health and wellness center in California.