As the president of the Neuroscience Research Club at UCSC, I have had the opportunity to create many amazing networks and develop numerous applicable skills. As part of my biggest responsibilities, I oversee the club's creative direction, devise meeting agendas, and command professor-member networks and opportunities. This role has taught me important skills surrounding leadership, adaptivity, business administration, and personal connectivity. I will continue to apply the lessons I gain from this experience to every aspect of my life.

CSSA at UCSC is an amazing club that allowed me to learn about myself, expand my knowledge, and connect with likeminded individuals that I continue to hold in high esteem. I developed a deeper understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science during our weekly meetings where various professors would come in and teach us about their research. A personal favorite of mine, was when professor Shepard came in and gave us a talk about what neural changes occur when somebody goes insane. It was extremely interesting and taught me about the nuances of neuro plasticity and how lifetime events can reshape certain parts of your brain. We also had several meetings where the students get together and have fun and discuss our ideas. These get togethers further developed my interpersonal skills as well as being fun :). Finally, I was selected to present my research on the causes of anxiety at the UC Berkeley annual Cognitive Science Conference, through our chapter at Santa Cruz, and I was beyond thrilled to create a poster board with all my findings and talk to many esteemed professors from around the country.

Working at the Genomics Institute as part of the Braingineers I developed several invaluable skills. I worked on a project developing brain organoids from mouse IPSCs that we use to study the nature of neural network formation and how different factors influence neuroatonomical development. I learned how to develop various medias for viable organoid growth, how to use spectroscopy to analyze samples, and how to develop cell portfolios to study tissue at a sub cellular level. I’ve taken these skills away from this fantastic chapter in my education, and continue to develop my laboratory and analytical skills every day.

At Nekter Juice Bar, I learned valuable lessons about interpersonal connections and professional respect. I worked as a juicer and cashier, communicating with customers, taking their orders, making their orders, and delivering nothing but satisfaction with a smile. I also developed basic skills like cleaning and food preparation, through keeping the store clean (mopping, sweeping, scrubbing) and chopping up all the fruits and vegetables needed for our bowls and juices. The greatest lesson working at Nekter taught me was that there is no substitute for hard work. Being the most efficient and trusted worker, plus getting the most tips only came from intense attention to detail and dedication.

Yogurtland was my first job in high school. While working, I completely ran the store; serving customers, cleaning machines, handling monetary exchanges, and overseeing the sanitation and management of our storerooms. This experience taught me how to keep track of store resources and manage our finances. I also learned how to interact with irritable customers in a patient and respectful way, making sure to always put their needs first.