Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

At Johns Hopkins, I knew I would have access to the best techniques and training in my journey to become a research professor. With access to these

things, I knew I could obtain a broad skill set and confidence in my identity as a scientist.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to be awarded the Mette Strand Research Award, as it affirms that I belong to this research community.

This award further affirms how my training has prepared me to succeed in biological research and signifies that I have contributed impactful research  to the scientific community. I greatly admire Dr. Mette Strand’s use of basic molecular biology to drive discoveries that continue to impact medical care, and it is an honor to be associated with that spirit of scientific advancement.

What contributed to your project’s success?

There were so many things that contributed to my project’s success that it would be impossible to list them all. Some of the major ones are the amazing mentorship of Dr. Watanabe, who gave me the perfect balance of guidance and freedom without ever once making me feel like a failure, even when

an experiment failed to turn out as expected. My entire lab is a supportive community, and everyone contributed both their time and resources to my project’s success. This project also succeeded because of the very specialized techniques I had access to. Our electron microscopy core facility and our super-resolution core facilities are how I made these discoveries, and I could not have done any of it without the tools and the folks who make it possible.  I also think my genuine love for understanding the complex and nuanced molecular underpinnings of creation has driven this project, even though most of it went against established neuroscience assumptions. Finally, this project definitely could not have succeeded without the emotional support of both  my biological and spiritual family.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself,  as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is an amazing event because it celebrates the achievements of trainees. At Johns Hopkins, I think trainees can feel daunted by the weight of all of the accomplishments of the prestigious faculty

around us. By having this celebration of trainee achievement, I think Young Investigators’ Day reminds all of us who are trainees that we are making

important scientific contributions, and that our work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most memorable experience has been that of being a mentor. I have had the opportunity to train so many amazing scientists! It has taught me that collaborative research is so much more fun and impactful than research in an isolated environment. Being a mentor at Johns Hopkins is an experience I will never forget.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Now, I am looking forward to the next stage of my development as an independent scientist, the postdoctoral position. I am trying to determine  what technical and professional skills I need to gain to be an independent research faculty member and where I will go next to achieve these goals. I think the hardest part is narrowing down the topics I want to study since there are so many questions in cellular neurobiology that need to be explored!

Tell  me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I think my nontraditional education background is one of the most interesting aspects of my journey. I was homeschooled throughout middle and high school, which taught me how to independently motivate myself and enhanced my confidence in my ability to learn anything. After high school, I attended community college because a traditional university was far too expensive

for me and my family. The experience of working full time and being a full- time student really prepared me for life as a scientist where both hard work and intense studying are required. I finally made it to a university where

my previous experience really focused my studies and where I discovered biological research. This newfound career goal led me to graduate school, where I have learned to embrace my nontraditional education path that brought me here and learned to value the diversity of experience that brings all of us into science.