How are you inspired by science?

I think what inspires me is the idea that there are always unknown things in the world, and trying to get to the bottom of that is really exciting tome. I'm definitely a person who loves mysteries, so I love piecing things apart and trying to fill in the puzzle pieces. It's like you're exploring and solving a mystery, so it's exciting.

What has been a highlight for you this summer?

I really enjoy the colloquiums. I really enjoy hearing from scientists who are actually in the field and learning about their work, especially the ones that might not be doing work in the lab, per se, but maybe working in graphic design or non-profits. I've appreciated hearing about their education trajectory and their career and what their next steps are. I think it’s really interesting finding that intersection, especially because I'm not sure if I want to work in a lab, but I definitely love science. I want that to be part of my life. I think finding a way to incorporate multiple passions into one career is really interesting.

What are your thoughts on the relationship between science and social change?

Science definitely has the capability to cause social change. Science is, on a foundational level, just research. So whether you’re researching inequality or any other issue, you're researching an issue or an unknown to find a solution. Whether that's figuring out how to create a more climate resistant crop to eliminate food scarcity or something else, I think science definitely plays a hand in social change.