Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose The Johns Hopkins University because its medical campus offers a unique environment where cutting-edge basic science and clinical medicine intersect. Being on the medical campus provides the opportunity to learn from and interact with clinicians, bridging discoveries in the lab with real-world medical applications. This integration allows for a deeper understanding of how fundamental neuroscience research, like my work on cerebellar circuits, can inform our understanding of movement disorders and ultimately improve patient care. The collaborative environment and access to both clinical and research expertise made Johns Hopkins the ideal place for this work.

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

I’m honored and delighted to receive the Claude and Barbara Migeon Research Award and to be back in Baltimore and at The Johns Hopkins University to present my work. It’s wonderful to reconnect with labmates, old friends and colleagues in a place where basic science and medicine come together so naturally. This award, established to recognize outstanding research by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, honors the remarkable mentorship and scientific contributions of Drs. Claude and Barbara Migeon, whose work bridged clinical insights and fundamental discovery. Receiving it is especially meaningful because it highlights the kind of interdisciplinary research I hope to contribute to — combining careful neuroscience experiments, computational approaches and connections to human health — while being part of a community that values both scientific discovery and mentorship.

What contributed to your project’s success? (Special skills, interests, opportunities, guidance, etc.)

The success of my project was made possible by many factors. Mentorship and support from my adviser, Professor Reza Shadmehr, were invaluable, providing guidance, encouragement and a collaborative environment to explore challenging questions. The dedication, curiosity and hard work of my labmates were essential, as their contributions helped shape and advance the research at every stage. I was also fortunate to benefit from the expertise of clinicians and scientists at Johns Hopkins, especially Professor David Zee, whose insights bridged basic neuroscience and clinical understanding. And, as always, I am deeply grateful to my parents, whose unwavering support has made all of this possible.

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 at The Johns Hopkins University is a meaningful celebration of the essential contributions that trainees — medical and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and residents — make to research. It not only recognizes outstanding work through presentations, posters and awards, but also honors the legacy of biomedical discovery and mentorship at Hopkins. Being part of this event is inspiring, as it highlights the impact of trainees in advancing science and provides an opportunity to connect with peers, mentors and the broader research community. It is a privilege to participate in a tradition that celebrates both scientific achievement and the support networks that make it possible.

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

One of my most memorable experiences at Hopkins was the first time we successfully recorded from the brain and listened to neurons after nearly a year of planning and preparation. Hearing neural activity in real time, with all its complexity, was a uniquely exciting moment and made the long process of designing experiments and building the setup incredibly rewarding. Experiences like that, combined with the collaborative and interdisciplinary environment at Hopkins, made my time there both scientifically inspiring and personally memorable.

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

I started my postdoctoral studies at MIT last fall, where I am studying how the brain regulates and controls voluntary breathing and how breathing, in turn, influences decision-making and behavior. During this time, I plan to deepen my expertise in neural circuit analysis and behavioral neuroscience and develop new experimental and computational approaches.

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

I love outdoor activities, and being in nature is both soothing and energizing for me. I enjoy hiking, backpacking and skiing whenever I get the chance.