Monica, a 2014 graduate of Ursinus College, earned her degree in Exercise & Sport Science with Cum Laude honors. While earning All-American Scholar-Athlete recognition in softball, she delved deeper into the world of well-being and language, minoring in Human Performance Assessment, Wellness Education, and Spanish. Her research journey began as she took on the title of the first undergraduate lab research assistant in The HEART laboratory, examining the effects of lifestyle modifications on hypertension and endothelial function. Monica earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2017 from Rutgers University. As a doctoral student, she had the privilege of joining a research team exploring the impact of animal-assisted therapy on individuals with special needs, further expanding her understanding of innovative approaches to well-being beyond traditional treatment methods.