Growing up, science was never abstract to me, it was personal. When my grandfather developed dementia, I watched the person I loved slowly fade as his body failed him. What unsettled me most was how quickly everything changed. That experience sparked my curiosity about what happens beneath the surface: how cells malfunction, how neurons deteriorate, and how molecular breakdowns manifest as human suffering. Instead of turning away from that discomfort, I leaned into it. I pursued this curiosity through hands-on research with Seattle Science Lab’s Secondary Research Opportunities Program, where I studied neuronal gene regulation using Xenopus tropicalis. Investigating HuC promoters and gene expression taught me how small molecular changes can determine cell identity and regenerative capacity. Research gave me language for loss and a framework to imagine solutions. At the same time, I worked to expand access to STEM by co-leading Seattle Science Lab, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to breaking barriers to research opportunities. Through outreach, mentorship, and partnerships, we have impacted hundreds of students across Washington, many of whom had never stepped into a lab before. My commitment to science is deeply tied to service. Volunteering in the Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit showed me how neurological conditions shape daily life, while working as a side-walker at Sundance Hippotherapy revealed the power of rehabilitation and neuroplasticity. These experiences reinforced my belief that scientific progress is most meaningful when rooted in community care and equity. I plan to study Molecular and Cellular Biology at Vanderbilt University and pursue a career focused on understanding and treating neurodegenerative disease. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of higher education, allowing me to dedicate more time to research, service, and mentorship rather than financial stress. More importantly, it would affirm the values that Susan Grant embodied—compassion, education, and community growth—and help me continue building a future where science serves people, not just progress.