top of page

About Me

By about four-years-old, I had several favorite places to be: sneaking under my mom’s horse to brush his belly (yes, I eventually learned this was a bad idea), measuring grain in the feed room, standing in a liverpool in the warmup ring, or handing out show ribbons. Horses and riding have been my foundation. From my first small pony to my current partners, I have always loved horses. I love their kindness, I never get tired of their funny and varying personalities, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share some of the most intense, emotional, and important moments of my life with them.

​

I have been riding for 15 years, starting in the pony divisions and, later, moving into the hunters and equitation. I have been privileged to have the opportunity to compete year-round, up and down the West Coast, in Canada, and, more recently, on the East Coast.

 

Although riding is often seen as an individual sport, I have found strength and joy in my riding community. While I love the competition and can’t wait to get into the ring, some of my favorite moments have included helping get the youngest riders to the pony ring, walking courses with my friends, and staying late with my barnmates to put our horses to bed. Having been supported by my community, I have tried to find ways to give back, including serving several terms on the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association board and managing our region’s World Championship Hunter Rider awards program for the last two years.

 

At the same time, I believe that the skills and lessons I have learned from riding and competing have supported my academic pursuits. For example, I am lucky to be part of a research team at the University of Washington in the Neonatal Division. In this setting, I have found that my willingness to take on challenges and accept setbacks has helped me find my way from struggling with an ambiguous research question to completing a published paper. I am grateful for the positive impact that riding has had on every aspect of my life.

 

I want to join a team with others who share my passion for riding and competing and feel the same commitment to both the horses and the sport. I am excited by the possibility of focusing on riding as a team sport where I can work with others to grow both as a rider and a person, care for our horses, and strive toward shared goals. As part of the NCAA program, I look forward to the challenge of competing with my team, facing skilled teams from around the country, and supporting riding as a growing collegiate women’s sport. I would love to be part of building a community in college where we support each other and develop long-lasting friendships.

IMG_7972.JPG

Academics

School

Eastlake High School

Sammamish, WA

Graduation: June 2025

GPA

4.0 (unweighted)

AP Classes

AP Biology

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP Chemistry

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Environmental Science

AP Language and Composition

AP World History​

Extracurricular Activities

RESEARCH:

  • University of Washington Neonatal Division – intern (9th, 10th, and 11th)

    • Student research assistant for multiple division research projects and papers

    • 10 hours a week including individual research activities, research lab meetings, supporting senior researcher projects and papers

    • Developed research proposal and carried out research project on healthcare accessibility in a population of families with pre-term infants leading to presentations and publications

  • Publications and Presentations:

    • Published paper, Riley, T., Umoren, R., Kotler, A, et al. (2024). Disparities in access to healthcare services in a regional neonatal transport network. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 99,  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016981412300118X.

    • Accepted poster and paper for presentation, Disparities in Access to Healthcare Services in a Regional Neonatal Transport Network, Pediatric Academic Societies Conference 2023 and University of Washington Patient Safety Learning Lab session (10th) – 3rd author

    • Published paper, McKissic, D., Riley, T., Billimoria, Z., Mastroianni, R., Kotler, A, et al. (2024). A Description of Medications and Intravenous Fluids Used During Neonatal Transport by a Regional Pediatric Critical Care Team. Air Medical Journal, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1067991X23002997.

    • Submitted paper, Impact of Refresher Training on NRP Performance: A Randomized Control Trial (11th) – Contributor

    • Submitted paper, Assessing the Complexity of Economic Scenarios and Decision-Making Processes for Inter-Facility Neonatal Transport: Cost-Related Literature, Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives, and Options for Improvement (11th) – Contributor

    • Submitted Paper, The Data Burden of Digital Learning (12th) – 5th author

    • Submitted Paper, Assessing the Complexity of Economic Scenarios and Decision-Making Processes for Inter-Facility Neonatal Transport: Cost-Related Literature, Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives, and Options for Improvement (12th ) – 5th author

  • Additional Research Activities:

  • Created survey for parents of NICU patients to observe transportation barriers (10th)

  • Conducted background research on telemedicine use in medical and mental health settings, authored background sections on telemedicine benefits and challenges and telemedicine outcomes variables

  • ​

  • Prepared diverse data sets for analysis of NICU patient medical data (11th)

  • Observed in the NICU – participated in rounds, patient visits, and consults with mothers of premature infants (10th & 11th)

  • Created a website for University of Washington Virtual Essential Newborn Care (11th)

  • Ferret brain gyrification tracing – animal models for medication impact on premature infant brains (9th)

 

EXTRACURRICULAR AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

  • Key Club, Officer (Kiwanis Liaison & Vice President) – (10th, 11th, and 12th)

  • Kiwanis Liaison – worked with the community leaders to bring volunteer opportunities throughout

  • Vice President – work with officers and President to run meetings, manage opportunities, and communicate with students

  • Key Club’s division to our members and to support their community volunteer projects

  • Worked with Inglewood Middle School to rebuild and create Builder’s Club, a middle school version of Key Club

  • National Honor Society, Officer – (10th, 11th, and 12th)

  • NHS officer – lead group meetings, work with other officers, design and manage projects for community service

  • The New York Academy for Arts and Sciences: The Junior Academy & 1000 Girls 1000 Futures  – (11th)

  • Selected for the Cognitive Classrooms Challenge with a team of 5 members from around the world

  • Created a prototype of an adaptive cognitive learning ecosystem with an AI learning companion (chatbot)

  • Tested, observed, and collected data on the effectiveness of the chatbot

  • Link Crew, Leader – (11th and 12th)

  • Serve as a mentor for incoming 9th grade students

  • Run 9th grade orientation with other Link Crew leaders

  • Support 9th graders throughout their first year in high school

  • Washington State Hunter Jumper Association – Junior Representative (9th, 10th, and 11th)

    • Organized fundraisers, managed the $15,000 junior scholarship fund, maintained social media accounts, promoted events run by the organization, planned staff lunches, participated in board meetings, assisted with preparation for the annual awards banquet, served on the horse show committee, volunteered at WSHJA events

  • World Champion Hunter Rider Program – Northwest Regional Coordinator (9th, 10th, and 11th)

    • Managed a $10,000 budget, procured and prepared prize baskets, organized the end of year awards event

    • Worked with horse shows to acquire donations

 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

  • Piano – 11 years

  • Travel

  • Downhill Skiing

  • Baking

  • Advocacy for women’s education and health

bottom of page