Founder's page

I became interested in engineering after attending Purdue University's summer engineering program for minorities.  It was an incredible week living on campus, learning how to create and build things.  I loved everything about it.  I have attended Purdue's program every summer since!  I focus on the STEM classes at school but quickly realized that there were very few African Americans and Hispanics in any of my classes and in the profession itself.  

As I started to due my research, I learned that Caucasians and Asians are over-represented while African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans are grossly under represented.  These under-represented groups come from all socio economic classes, but the support is generally provided for students from the lowest socio economic classes.  I feel we need to help all of these Black, Hispanic and Indigenous students regardless of their background.  The path I am told is a lonely one and full of challenges.  

My goal in starting this program was to provide an avenue to expose under represented students like me to STEM and how we need to prepare ourselves.  Part of the community service for my project is partnering with community organizations to offer basic life support training and AED training.  I feel as athletes we should know how to help someone who may have an issue during our competition, travel, etc.  These are life skills for everyone. 

I started running in middle school, but I hit my stride in high school. I ran varsity as a freshmen and earned a letter each year for cross country and track.  My favorite event is the 800m, but I also run the 1600m and 3200m in track.

I love running. It helps me mentally and physically.  Running helps me manage my stress and the endorphins released energize me.  There are many lesson about life I learn from running cross country and track.  To succeed in my sport, it takes discipline, focus and hard work.  These are the same skills I use to help me with academics and my interest in pursuing engineering.  

As my coach says, "Chop wood, carry water".  It doesn't matter how much success or loss you have, you need to put the work in day after day with diligence!

My family provides my foundation.  My father was born and raised in Alliance, Ohio.  He attended The Ohio State University for his undergraduate and medical school.  He was the fifth African American Vascular Surgeon in the country when he finished. 

My mother is Asian Indian.  She was born in Nairobi, Kenya and raised in Michigan.  She went to The University of Michigan for undergrad and The Ohio State University for medical school where she met my father.  She has her own functional medicine practice. 

My younger brother, my buddy, is severely allergic to dairy.  I grew up never eating dairy to protect him.  I am conscious about food allergies and the challenges in interacting with the world that is driven by food.  I have seen my brother's anaphylactic reactions and how terrifying they are to everyone involved. I hope he can outgrow his food allergy one day.