I am a PhD student at Temple University studying Medical Anthropology and pursuing a certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware where I studied Anthropology and Medical Humanities. Broadly my research is focused on issues of reproductive health, in particular childbirth. One of my first major research projects was focused on the evolution of childbirth. After shifting my focus to more contemporary issues- the rise of elective cesarean sections and preferences for surgical interventions in birth- I continued to use both a biomedical and cultural lens to inform my work. While I have experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods (surveys, interviews) I hope to integrate more ethnographic methods in my future studies. My region of interest is Latin America and the Caribbean, and for my dissertation research I hope to explore how disaster impacts childbirth experiences, using Puerto Rico post-hurricane Maria as a case study. I am also a trained as a childbirth doula and though I intend to pursue an academic career, I also believe that it is imperative that my research be relevant and applicable to the outside world- engaging those beyond the world of academia. I hope that through my training and fieldwork I can engage such communities and help to improve childbirth experiences and outcomes.