My twin sister and I were conceived through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)—a process made possible by decades of scientific progress, from animal studies to breakthroughs in human embryology. I entered the world as a direct result of collaboration and innovation in STEM. That beginning has shaped how I see myself: as someone who has benefited from science and is now driven to pay it forward. My fascination with science began after learning about my medical history, but it was my high school neurochemistry course that deepened my interest. During a lesson on Phineas Gage, a 19th-century railroad worker whose personality changed drastically after a metal rod pierced his frontal lobe, I left eager to further explore how treatments might address similar brain injuries. Although financial and familial constraints limited my access to expensive research programs, I was determined to find an opportunity. I spent weeks cold-emailing professors across the University of Washington and, after hundreds of messages, I received a single reply from the UW Neonatal Neuroscience Lab, offering me a free summer research role. Surrounded by the hum of incubators, I dissected injured rat brains and assessed the efficacy of therapies aimed at mitigating preterm brain injuries. Holding a jelly-like rat brain in my gloved hand, its structure visibly damaged, I realized I wasn’t just performing technical tasks. Each PCR test and push of the micropipette held the potential to transform outcomes for vulnerable newborns. Through research, I’ve learned that my scientific curiosity is a force I can use to benefit society. The potential for life-saving breakthroughs inspires me to stay curious, ask questions, and reach for the micropipette when no answers yet exist. As I continue on my scientific path, I hope to stay immersed in neuroscience or biology research—first as a laboratory technician, and eventually as a principal investigator. I want to ask urgent, unanswered questions and help find answers that save lives. My vision is to work at the forefront of fields such as brain organoids, genetic engineering, and stem cell research, pushing the boundaries of science. My scientific journey is just beginning, but my commitment to advancing discovery is unwavering. Still, the path that led me to research was far from easy. Despite my persistence, I had nearly missed out on research altogether, simply because I lacked the connections or resources to get started. That realization shaped the second pillar of my current and future impact: service. Realizing the Seattle science scene needed greater accessibility, I co-founded the Seattle Science Lab (SSL). SSL has two main programs: SROP, our internship program that matches students 1:1 with mentors from the UW to drive a scientific project of their choice, and our laboratory tour program, which hosts visits to university laboratories around Seattle. We concentrate our impact on underserved students from South Seattle and South King County who often experience heightened barriers to STEM. Through its programs, Seattle Science Lab has impacted over 900 students—each story contributing to my growth as a more accountable and effective community builder. This experience has shown me that I don’t have to accept flawed systems—I have the power to be a catalyst for change in my community. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing this work and becoming a leader in the scientific mentorship space. As I grow in my scientific career, I aim to create inclusive research and classroom environments that integrate students from all backgrounds. Whether it’s hosting high schoolers in my lab, founding new mentorship initiatives, or offering guidance to younger students, I hope to be the mentor that I wished I’d had.