Biography and Research statement: I received my B.S. in neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May of 2022. During my 4 years, I worked under Dr. Jessica Babal and explored pediatricians and the relationships between their work-life balance, the structural composition of the health care system, and how it tied to burnout. After I graduated, I spent 2 years working at a post-bac position in the Suminiski-Lake Lab. During my time here, I explored off-target effects of vagal stimulation in swine to generate locations that would result in the least amount of side-effects in patients undergoing baroreflex therapy. Additionally, I studied rats and their connectomes when afflicted with Parkinson’s to discern the brain regions explicitly effected and any structural changes that might occur due to pharmacological treatment, L-dopa. Originally, I had planned on becoming a medical doctor, but my experiences with developing and answering my own questions in neuroscience through diligent and rigorous techniques cultivated a passion I could not let go of. I am now continuing my academic journey in Katie Drerup’s lab studying mitochondrial biogenesis and its pathways with the hopes of becoming a professor. One day, I hope to inspire, inform, and make a positive impact. The way my mentors did to me.