My academic journey has not been a linear one. Growing up, I didn't always have the guidance or support needed to navigate academia in the same way as some of my peers. I am especially grateful to my undergraduate (and graduate) advisor, Dr. Kathryn Lafreniere, who encouraged me to pursue research and helped me recognize the importance of student support within academic spaces. Her mentorship showed me that students like myself do belong in academia, and it has shaped how I view the role of mentorship and support in helping others find their place.

My interest in research began during my undergraduate studies. I became curious about prejudice expressed through Facebook comments and the personality traits associated with such behaviour. With Dr. Lafreniere's support, I developed my first research project examining this topic. That experience sparked my interest in research and encouraged me to consider graduate studies.

Although I hoped to pursue graduate school, I didn't feel I was a competitive applicant compared to my peers. Rather than immediately continuing my education, I took some time away from school, worked part-time at Best Buy, and eventually returned to strengthen my academic profile. Looking back, this period was also meaningful in shaping how I think about research. Through conversations and everyday experiences, I began to appreciate the importance of listening to people's stories and how storytelling can connect us, particularly among minoritized groups.

During my master's degree, my research shifted toward identity development and bicultural stress among second- and third-generation ethnic minority Canadians. This interest was inspired by conversations with co-workers who, like me, were navigating some of the unique experiences and challenges of being second-generation Canadians. Their stories resonated with my own and motivated me to explore these shared experiences through research.

I continued exploring questions of identity, belonging, and social experiences during my PhD. My dissertation examined name-based microaggressions within the Canadian education system, centring the experiences and narratives of racialized students across K–12 and post-secondary education.

More recently, my research interests have expanded into community-engaged work examining 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and belonging in recreational sport. Through my work with the Ontario Rainbow Sports Network, I have had the opportunity to explore how research can extend beyond academic institutions and involve working alongside organizations and communities to address issues that matter to them.

Throughout my academic journey, I have also been fortunate to collaborate on research beyond my immediate interests, including fall prevention among older adults with cognitive impairment, intergenerational conflict among Chinese Canadian emerging adults, disability representation in the media, and cancer survivors' experiences returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My journey has taught me that there is no single path into academia, and that our experiences outside of academic spaces can shape the questions we ask and the researchers we become. I remain curious, open to learning, and excited by the many questions we have yet to explore. Most importantly, I hope to pay forward the mentorship and support that my own mentors have given me by supporting students who are still finding their place in academic spaces.