Biography

My curiosity for neuroscience grew from my love for mystery, recognizing the similarities between the intricate ‘whodunits’ I adored as a child and the body’s real life mystery: the brain. At Lafayette College, I pursued a dual degree in neuroscience and philosophy, investigating sensory hair cell function and death with Dr. Tamara Stawicki. There, I became interested in how the brain interacts with the sensory environment at the cellular level. My research with Dr. Lucas Cheadle at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory deepened my interest in the fascinating world of neuron-glial interactions in brain development, plasticity, and disease. During my PhD in Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience with Dr. Elisa Galliano’s lab, I will investigate how microglia drive neuronal plasticity in the olfactory system. Through this work, I aspire to uncover how diverse brain cells work together harmoniously and advance our understanding of glial activation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, I look forward to expanding my science accessibility outreach in the greater Cambridge community. I am honored and inspired to join the Gates Cambridge scholarship community.

Previous Education

Lafayette College Neuroscience