I am a second-year PhD student in the Entomology and Nematology program at the University of California, Davis. Under the guidance of Dr. Shahid Siddique, I am studying the microbial interactions of plant-parasitic nematodes. From a young age, I explored the vast network of Illinois nature preserves where I absorbed the sunshine of the prairie. The swift movement of tiny insects and other obscure creatures relentlessly caught my eye, sparking my curiosity both in nature and within the classroom. My love for the environment inspired me to study Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My journey towards scientific discovery took root in my undergraduate studies with research experiences in insect ecology, plant pathology, and soil fertility. I vividly remember when a PhD student brought out a container with the largest ants I had ever seen, explaining their unique adaptations. This experience stimulated my curiosity for environmental science and culminated into my present enrollment as an Entomology and Nematology PhD student at the University of California, Davis.