I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and attended Federal Way High School. At the University of Washington, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, graduating Cum Laude. During that time I was also awarded an NIH research grant. I continued my studies at the prestigious Tulane University School of Medicine where I received numerous honors including the McGraw Hill Award given to the top two students for the first year. I graduated at the top of my class and was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. After medical school, I trained in the specialty of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Southern California for 5 years with prominent reconstructive and plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills. Pursuing my interest in facial plastic surgery; I  continued my training with world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Fred Stucker, in Shreveport, Louisiana. I continued to study and practice the most advanced surgical skills, including cosmetic procedures and the techniques required to care for people born with congenital defects, such as cleft lip and palate. I also had exposure to other craniofacial procedures such as orthognathic surgery.