PhD Programs Admissions Coaches

Having pivoted during medical school to pursue additional training as a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, I had to learn on-the-fly how to prepare and succeed in the world of academia and research. Now, as I complete my PhD training, I strive to bolster the incoming generation of scientists and scholars to help promote diversity and inclusion at every level. Balancing multiple degree programs has taught me to manage my time, energy, and focus in meaningful ways, which I would love to pass on to any prospective students.

I have a PhD from MIT in AI/ML and am currently a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at Mila - Quebec AI Institute and Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard. I have won over $400,000 in fellowships and helped over 50 students get admitted into top universities (MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Caltech) while obtaining prestigious fellowships (Rhodes, Knight-Hennessy, etc.).

Welcome to my profile! With a PhD in German from Harvard University and decades of working with young adults seeking admission to graduate programs, I bring a wealth of academic and advisory experience to my coaching. As the Associate Dean for Fellowships and Research at a top-tier college, I have advised application processes for nationally competitive fellowships and graduate programs, helping students navigate the complexities of MA and PhD applications. My extensive background in academia, including teaching and administrative roles, equips me with the insights needed to guide you through your graduate admissions journey. Whether you need help with application strategy, research proposals, or interview preparation, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Let's connect and make your aspirations a reality!

The graduate application process is stressful at best and crippling at worst. Having served as a Dean and the Director of UC Berkeley's Psychology Post Baccalaureate Program for over 9 years, I have mentored nearly 200 students in their psychology graduate school application journey. I have also taught The Graduate School Application Process course for UC Berkeley Extension for the last two years. From identifying potential programs and labs to drafting a CV and statement of purpose, I am well equipped to lead you through this process.

I received my Ph.D. from the political science department at Columbia University. I did my undergraduate work at Stanford, earning a B.A. in international relations with honors in international security studies. I can provide expert advice on all stages of the Ph.D. journey, including how to craft your undergraduate education to best prepare you for a Ph.D. program, what the application process is like, what to expect in terms of coursework and teaching responsibilities, passing exams, writing and defending your dissertation proposal, and completing your dissertation.

I am a current MD/PhD student in my third year of graduate school at Vanderbilt University studying mechanistic cell signaling in the Ethan Lee laboratory. One of my biggest skillsets in science is communication, which is incredibly important for PhD applications. Science is complex, and being able to simplify your work in a way that others can quickly understand is a daunting task. When done successfully, this makes for the best-written applications and interviews. I have pre-constructed formats on how to approach PhD applications, including describing your previous work. My mentorship skills in this area have proven succesful for numerous aspiring PhD students.

I’m a strong PhD programs coach because I understand firsthand what it takes to stand out in the most competitive academic applicant pools. I graduated summa cum laude from Penn with an interdisciplinary dual-degree background across the College and Wharton, and I’m now pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School. I was admitted to 15+ PhD programs and 20+ undergraduate programs across HYPSM, the Ivy League, and other elite top-10 and top-20 U.S. institutions, giving me direct experience navigating admissions at the highest level. My background also includes rigorous research in computational biology, genomics, and AI, published scholarship, national presentations, and years of mentoring through teaching and advising. I help clients turn strong but often complicated backgrounds into clear, compelling applications that are intellectually serious, authentic, and memorable.

With a strong foundation in neuroscience and business, I bring a unique blend of scientific and strategic acumen to my coaching. My experience has equipped me with the skills to guide aspiring PhD candidates through the complexities of their applications. I have a proven track record of helping individuals translate their academic and research experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with admissions committees. Whether you need assistance with selecting target schools/programs, navigating application processes, crafting your personal statement, preparing for interviews, or strategizing your application, I'm here to help you succeed. Let's connect and make your PhD aspiration come true!

Following the completion of my Ph.D., I worked at Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, the University College Dublin (UCD), the University of Nottingham, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and SSPI. I completed my postdoctoral fellowship in psychology at Yale University. I was an Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins University. I was an Associate Professor at UCD. I was Full Professor, Chair in Education, at the University of Nottingham. I was Full Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). I was Vice President for Research and Evaluation at SSPI. I was also CEO at IRINSTITUTES.

With over 20 years of experience in graduate admissions, I’ve led PhD admissions processes at two Ivy League institutions: Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. At Princeton, I oversaw admissions for their highly competitive PhD program. At Penn Nursing, I reviewed doctoral applications for their top-tier program in nursing science. Whether you're pursuing a PhD in public policy, economics, nursing, or a related healthcare field, I bring an insider’s perspective to help you develop a compelling and strategic application. From articulating your research agenda and identifying faculty fit to refining your statement of purpose and CV, I’ll guide you through every step with the same insight and intentionality I brought to the admissions committees I once led.