I was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, but I decided to move to Iowa City to pursue some form of science degree with the intent of going into medicine. My interest in education came from my grandma, who is a middle school math teacher. On summer breaks, I used to sit in on her summer school classes and help other students who were struggling. This is where I realized the importance of education and how much it can mean to others. While searching for research positions, I found the Cole group, which melded this passion with my love for science, so it seemed like a perfect match. Outside of the group, I play guitar and watch all the comedy specials I can cram into my bursting schedule. During my time in the group, I hope to both improve my understanding of the research process and gain valuable experience working within a research group to better prepare me for a future in science.