I earned a B.S. from The Ohio State University, majoring in both biology and evolution & ecology. Flexibility in the curriculum allowed me to explore a wide array of fields in addition to the standard pre-med course work, including behavioral ecology, evolutionary ecology, ecological conservation, entomology, parasitology, and more. Finding these courses interesting and wanting a taste of a career in research, I participated in an ecology REU in 2019. Studying living organisms other than humans both in and out of the classroom has helped me think deeply about the impact that all natural elements can have on human health.