Team

How I got into science

When asked in kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered a botanist. The entire class laughed at me, and I quickly abandoned my scientific plant aspirations. Fast-forward to college, I actually chose to major in neuroscience instead of biology because of how much I hate plants. I never wanted to learn about photosynthesis ever again -- funny how things turn out.

Back tracking a bit, my interest in neuroscience began when I was thirteen. Two of my cousins had recently been diagnosed with Autism and I was eager to learn more. I immersed myself in books and articles, attended my cousin’s therapy sessions and biomedical treatment appointments, and decided then that I wanted to pursue a career working with children on the spectrum. When I entered Boston University as a neuroscience undergraduate student this was still my plan, but alas, plans change.

Beginning my freshman year, I became involved with research. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to try out a wide range of labs with varied research interests, from social psychology to child development to circadian rhythm neurobiology. Just before my junior year, I joined the Ramirez Lab and for the first time truly fell in love with research. Over the last few years, I’ve worked on projects at the intersection of memory, engrams, and addiction. I am captivated by the endless possibilities of questions to ask, potential discoveries, and progress to be made.