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During my college career, I have dedicated substantial time and effort to community service and justice, with the majority of my work taking place off campus. My primary passion lies in service involving working dogs, particularly in science, public safety, and vulnerable populations. I currently volunteer as a search and rescue canine handler, service dog trainer, and therapy dog handler. These roles allow me to apply scientific training, technical problem-solving, and compassion directly to community needs.

For the past seven years, I have been a member of Chesapeake Search Dogs, a volunteer organization that supports law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels. I currently serve as both an operational canine handler and the Director of Technology. As an operational handler, I am on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to requests from law enforcement agencies and emergency management teams. I have deployed both locally and to neighboring states, including during declared states of emergency. I train and and search with my German Shepherd, Peyote, and together we are nationally certified in wilderness live-find and human remains detection. These certifications demonstrate our ability to locate missing persons in challenging environments and to assist in recovery efforts when outcomes are tragic.

Our team responds to approximately seventy callouts each year. The majority of these searches involve individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, people with developmental disabilities, and children with autism. These populations are especially vulnerable and often underserved during emergency situations. Human remains detection calls frequently support criminal investigations, searches for individuals lost after 48 hours, and suicide recovery efforts. In each case, our work directly contributes to public safety, closure for families, and allocation of emergency resources.

In addition to my field work, I serve as the Director of Technology for Chesapeake Search Dogs. In this role, I design and implement internal software systems, including web applications and automation tools, to improve operational efficiency, data management, and real-time coordination during searches. I also manage and mentor a team of technology volunteers, delegating responsibilities and overseeing long-term projects. This role allows me to apply my scientific and technical background to improve outcomes for both responders and the communities we serve.

Beyond search and rescue, Peyote and I participate in therapy and service work throughout the community. We regularly visit memory care facilities, hospice centers, and hospitals. In memory care settings, many patients experience agitation and anxiety due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Interacting with Peyote often helps regulate their nervous systems, providing comfort, grounding, and emotional connection. In hospice centers, we work with patients receiving palliative care, all of whom have a life expectancy of fewer than six months. Peyote rests her head on patients’ beds, offering quiet companionship, while also providing comfort to grieving family members. We also visit pediatric hospital wards, where Peyote helps reduce fear and stress for children navigating medical treatment.

Outside of my work with Peyote, I am training a gluten-detection service dog for an individual with celiac disease. This dog is trained to detect microscopic levels of gluten, which can cause debilitating symptoms and long-term health consequences. By providing an early-warning system for accidental exposure, especially in home-prepared meals, this work empowers the individual with independence, safety, and peace of mind.

In addition to my service work, I am completing a senior capstone research project focused on artificial intelligence in healthcare. This project examines how machine learning models can be used to support clinical decision-making, improve diagnosis accuracy, and reduce medical mistakes. Through this work, I have applied computer science, data analysis, and healthcare ethics to a research project that addresses a clear real-world need. The project reflects my commitment to utilizing technology as tools that improve patient care and provider outcomes.

I have also contributed to the on-campus community through educational engagement and knowledge sharing. I was invited to speak within the Communications Department about search and rescue operations, focusing on crisis response, interagency coordination, and ethical communication during emergencies. Through this talk, I provided students with firsthand insight into how communication theory translates into high-stakes, real-world scenarios involving public safety and vulnerable populations. By bridging academic concepts with lived operational experience, I aimed to enhance students’ understanding of professional responsibility, teamwork, and the human dimensions of emergency response. This experience allowed me to take on a leadership role by serving as a resource and educator within the Loyola community.

Beyond campus, I have tutored middle school and high school students from Baltimore city and county in math and science. Many of the students span across different educational and socioeconomic backgrounds and I can provide individualized tutoring and mentorship. This work provided the students with the support they needed to succeed in future academic settings. One student I tutored is currently taking calculus II in college. Additionally, she received all As in her math classes in middle and high school while I tutored her. 

Through these roles, I strive to integrate scientific knowledge, technical innovation, and sustained service to promote justice, safety, and dignity, especially for vulnerable populations. My commitment to community engagement extends beyond academic achievement, reflecting my belief that science is most meaningful when it is applied in the service of others.