Hi! My name is Bella, and I just finished my freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh. I’m also part of the Frederick Honors College and am pursuing majors in both Neuroscience and Anthropology. Outside of class, I participate in Alzheimer’s research and am involved in Pitt’s MEDLIFE chapter. I can also always be found trying out a new coffee shop!

Over the next two weeks, I will be participating in a FHC Frederick Firsts program called Bioscience Breakthroughs. This program consists of one week in Pittsburgh and one week in Berlin learning about different perspectives of bioscience discoveries between the two cities. This program was the perfect choice for me, as it is only two weeks, which leaves the rest of my summer open for other opportunities. Because of the timing of this program, I will be able to participate in another study away program later in the summer and can maximize my exploration this year!

As someone who has never been to Germany before, I am quite excited to explore the local culture and cuisine. However, more than that, I am extremely interested to learn how scientific advancements are viewed through the German lens. I’m curious to see how the processes to conduct scientific research relate to the ones I have already begun to learn in Pittsburgh.

Through this program, I hope to grow intellectually and professionally by stepping outside the American scientific bubble and engaging with research perspectives that I may never have encountered at home. As a future researcher, understanding how science is shaped by culture and geography is important to me!

Can’t wait to take you all on my journey!