About

Avery is an MD student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. During his time there, he has served as the Class President and was actively involved in the Program Assessment and Evaluation Committee, focusing on the school's assessment schedule and its impact on student wellness.

This academic year marks Avery's engagement with Dr. Jack Shern as part of the NIH's Medical Research Scholars Program. Here, he's taken the lead in designing a study that delves into the mechanisms and oncological significance of a mutation critical to the understanding of an aggressive subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma. The experiments under this study are currently underway.

In the realm of research, Avery collaborated with Dr. Anna Blenda on glycobiology projects, with a focus on galectins and their role as potential cancer markers. His work under Dr. Blenda's guidance led to multiple oral presentations and a poster presentation at the AACR Annual Meeting in 2023.

Before embarking on his medical journey, Avery earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bob Jones University in Greenville, graduating summa cum laude. His roles there included head lab assistant for the biology department, director of the department's peer mentoring service, and serving as the Vice-President of the school's Pre-Med Association.

Post-undergrad, Avery moved to Schaumburg, Illinois, to teach high school science. This phase was pivotal for him, as it not only introduced him to the realm of teaching but also cemented his passion for it.

Originally from central Pennsylvania, Avery's early days included working at Heller's Hardware in Newport, Pa implementing business software solutions and team training. A multifaceted individual, he also played the euphonium in his high school band, competing at the state level.

Avery's interests are diverse, spanning from computer science to logistics. Regardless of the domain, his approach to learning remains consistent: thorough and enthusiastic.