A difficult experience, even on-line during Covid, contributed to a world view that celebrated difference. “When the pandemic hit, I naively believed the distance would bring peace, but the bullying followed me online. My confidence completely shattered.

Overwhelmed by my emotions, I asked myself why I was letting others decide who I am.” This realization became the mantra that would follow through high school and beyond, sparking an interest in neuroscience, the study of the brain, and understanding human behavior.

“The human brain is a puzzle I can’t stop piecing together. Every fold, every connection, every flicker of an electrical signal holds secrets about how we think, feel, and exist. The same organ responsible for our survival also creates art, writes poetry, and builds societies. During a neuroscience pre-college program, I watched an animation of neurons firing in synchrony, and something clicked. The brain wasn’t just an organ — it was an orchestra, and I was hooked.”