Class of 2026 Member

Montana is from Eustis, Florida, and graduated from the Brinson Honors College at Western Carolina University where she received a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Biology: Pre-Health Professional, Outdoor Recreation & Wilderness Medicine, and Chemistry. Montana received an M.S. in Biology from the Graduate School at Western Carolina University. Her research focused on investigating proteins expressed by bacteriophages that regulate gene transcription and defense against other viruses. Montana is passionate about education, working as a teaching assistant for various undergraduate biology courses during her graduate studies, and volunteering with the Crisis Text Line. After graduating, Montana accepted a position as a high school science teacher, where she specialized in teaching Forensic Science. Montana chose Rutgers because she appreciated the student-oriented program faculty who were invested in their students' professional and personal success. She was drawn to Rutgers because of the access to diverse patient populations while training at excellent clinical rotations sites.