Everglades, December 2018 — age 12
Eagle Scout
Junior Curator
CPR Certified
1st Dan Black Belt
Research Presenter
World Food Prize Delegate
Apex, North Carolina
Naturalist. Eagle Scout.
Lifelong Learner.
I'm a high school junior from Apex, NC with a passion that cuts across fields: animal sciences, anthropology, health science, and the natural world. Ophidiophilia is my attempt to document the encounters that have shaped that passion — every photo and video a chapter in a field journal I've been keeping in my head since age eight.
The word ophidiophilia describes a love of snakes. But for me, it's always been broader than that — it's a love of the wild, the unknown, the misunderstood. Snakes are just where it started.
Highlights
2026
World Food Prize Foundation — Global Youth Institute Delegate
Selected as a 2026 North Carolina Youth Institute Delegate. Will present at the
Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, IA — focused on original research in
global food security challenges and solutions.
2026
Research Presenter — NC Youth Institute, NC State University
Presented original research on global food security to peers and faculty at
North Carolina State University's youth research program.
2025–
Founder & Leader — Medical Case Crackers Club
Founded a school club focused on diagnostic reasoning: analyzing symptoms,
exploring differential diagnoses, and practicing team-based clinical problem solving.
Running junior and senior year.
2025–
Leader — Future City Club
Leadership role in designing and presenting imaginary cities of the future,
integrating engineering, urban planning, and sustainability principles.
2025–
Junior Curator — NC State Museum of Natural Sciences
Two years handling live exotic animals, setting up science exhibits, and
engaging the public. Conducted the Rockingham Roach Race at Raleigh's
Annual BugFest — one of the largest free natural history festivals in the US.
2022
Eagle Scout — BSA (8 Years)
Achieved Eagle Scout rank after 8 years — completing multiple service projects,
leadership positions, fundraising campaigns, and extensive wilderness camping and
survival training.
2022
1st Dan Black Belt — Kickboxing & Taekwondo (8 Years)
Eight years of training across kickboxing and taekwondo — achieving
1st Dan black belt. Passion project: recording podcasts about "Martial Medicine,"
exploring the intersection of combat sports and health science.
2021
National Geography Bee — Varsity Division Qualifier
Qualified for National Geography Bee Nationals in the Varsity division.
2020–
Gold Award — National German Exam (Levels 1, 2 & 3)
Gold award in the National German Exam at each level — demonstrating
sustained excellence in language acquisition.
2019
Internship — Chiropractic & Dental Shadowing
Interned at a chiropractor's office (9th grade summer) and shadowed a
dentist (10th grade summer) — early exploration of health science careers.
Interests & Passions
Anthropology
Animal Sciences
Health Science
Herpetology
Wilderness Survival
Martial Arts
Podcast Production
Global Food Security
German Language
Geography
Science Education