If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

– African proverb

It is a testament to the excellence of the Nance Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, and University of Washington that, looking back on graduate school, I feel overwhelming gratitude. What an opportunity it was to spend 5 years solving interesting problems with some of the smartest and kindest people in the world! Let me begin by thanking the custodians of the land upon which my research was conducted. The UW Seattle campus sits on the traditional, ancestral, ceded and unceded territory of the Duwamish, Puyallup, Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. These Coast Salish Peoples have been and continue to be responsible for protecting and preserving the natural spaces that supported this thesis work.

            When I think about the ways I have grown since 2016— knowing who I am and what I value, becoming a better communicator, managing stress and conflict— I know most of this was influenced by two incredible women in my life. Elizabeth, thank you for showing me who I want to be: an excellent mentor above everything; a patient teacher and relentless advocate for her students; a strategic leader; someone who faces the past with honesty and the future with hope. You helped me see myself in academia and your support means the world to me. Mom, you have always been kind and wise, but I want to particularly thank you for how you have brought mindfulness into your own life and shared your journey with me. It feels rare and special to not be able to imagine a better mom than the one you have. The world would be a better place with more women like you both.

            I am thankful for the time and service of my thesis committee, without whose support I also would not be receiving my PhD. Lilo, I’ve learned so much from the way you ask questions and how passionately you fight for the things that are important to you, especially diversity in science and outreach that positively changes our community. Sunny, working with your lab has grounded me and helped me see the long game: one day, in a few decades, maybe something I’m studying will save lives the way your work has. Ying, it was wonderful to meet you as we discussed the microvessel collaboration; I look forward to reading about it in the future! Thank you all for reading through this document; I hope I have made it concise and interesting.

            I am grateful for the support of colleagues who made the work in this thesis possible. First, Tommy, thank you for teaching me about (among many things) brain health and ancestral health, and for sharing your home gym. Half of these projects, and all of my sanity, would not look the same without you! Thank you to the rest of the Neonatology team as well, especially Kylie for her friendship and superpowers in managing labs and people. In the Nance Lab, I want to highlight the contributions of: Rick, who trained me on most of what I know; Mike, whose team spirit and eye for detail truly keep the lab running; Mengying, who trained me on everything Rick didn’t; and Chris, who always brings a fresh perspective. When research got tough, it was a blessing to rely on and decompress with my fantastic team of undergraduate students (Danny, Zach, Denise, Ana, Norah, Tora, Georges, Hugo, and Emily—I’ll also include Victoria, who wasn’t technically my mentee but is so awesome I have to mention her!) and high schoolers (Maria, Sanjana, and Meghan). What an incredible honor it has been to work with so many people who are going to change the world.

            Finally, I want to thank my family and friends outside of lab for their unconditional support over the past few years. I have had the good fortune of being close friends with my immediate and extended family (Mom, Papa, Kathy, and Stephanie; the Josephs in Philadelphia; the Jacobs in Maryland) and having friends who feel like close family (Rick and Alex; Kayla and Carson). I have no doubt that my academic success is a privilege afforded to me by the financial, emotional, and social stability that you collectively provide. I am beyond excited to see most of you in person for my biggest birthday party yet!