Meg is pursuing her Masters degree in Dr. Olesnicky’s Genetics and Neurobiology research lab in the Biology Department. Meg investigates the role that RNA binding proteins play in nervous system development of Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly). Her work has identified many genes, whose dysfunction leads to seizures, making a strong and lasting impact on the field of Neurogenetics. Meg has already received four awards for her research, and was named the 2020 Biology Undergraduate Student of the Year. She has also co-authored a journal article, and is currently preparing two others for publication. She is naturally curious about the world, and tends to question, explore, and appreciate nature. Meg is also interested in primate behavioral ecology, and has collected data on Howler monkeys in the rainforest of Costa Rica. Finally, Meg is an avid runner, cyclist, backpacker, traveler, and outdoor enthusiast.