Emily graduated from Purdue University in May 2023 with a B.S. in biology. While obtaining her undergraduate degree, she began her research career by exploring the behavioral neurobiology behind substance use disorder using mice. She implemented behavioral paradigms that model the way humans consume alcohol and other addictive substances and subsequently examined neuronal activation in target brain regions using imaging. She then developed a curiosity for neurodegeneration and transitioned to studying Parkinson's Disease at a molecular level by assessing how phosphorylation at different amino acids of alpha-synuclein can impact antibody affinity. In the Stevens Lab, Emily is looking forward to working with Dr. Nils Korte and developing her knowledge of neuro-immune interactions at the blood-brain barrier with hopes of applying her experience to a future career in biopharmaceutial research.