“I build bridges.”“So you are an engineer?”“No, I’m a plant scientist.”While I may not know the first thing about concrete compositions, I know that plants are good for us. Plants and humans are intrinsically tied to each other. For our entire existence, we have survived due to the help of plants, not only as an oxygen and food source, but also as shelter and medicine. My goal is to show that the chemicals given off by plants during their everyday photosynthesis are contributors to our overall well-being. My hope is that this research will inform future policymakers on how important it is that plants be at the core of our society, not only for food but for mental and physical well-being.My time as a researcher has allowed me to design and implement a multi-semester project that aims to shed light on the invaluable role nature plays in promoting well-being. I have successfully gathered over 36 hours of sampling data and have prepared a list of 44 different chemical standards to use for the sample analysis using our thermal desorption coupled gas chromatograph mass spectrometer.As I finish my undergraduate degree, I look forward to continuing my research and moving toward more specific studies on how these volatiles affect mice on an acute and chronic level. I am passionate making sure my research will be applicable to people’s lives and enrich the way we design our cities.Looking forward to graduate school, I am more driven than ever to pave this new field of research for generations to come. The interdisciplinary nature of this research excites me because, by bridging the gap between disciplines, we can unlock new insights and solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our society and our planet such as climate change and food insecurity.If you would like to join me on this journey of building scientific bridges between plants and people, please feel free to reach out through my email or a message on LinkedIn!