I earned my B.S. degree in Psychology concentrating in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience in 2021 and have since been provided with research opportunities to further pursue graduate school. I joined the Shih Lab as a Research Assistant in the summer of 2021 and after exploring different lab skills, I decided to dive deeper into observing angiogenic sprouts in the neonatal brain. I have been learning more about the rate of angiogenic sprouting within different cortical layers, especially in deeper tissue like the hippocampus, and how its microvasculature plays a role in it. In pursuing a Neuroscience career, I want to be able to teach others about the brain, how it works, and how it can affect different things such as decision making, memory, etc. Hopefully, I can one day open doors for those who are also interested in Neuroscience, as well as contribute to new findings about neurodegenerative disorders and possible cures.

Outside of the lab, music is my second passion. I’ve been singing and playing guitar and piano since I was a kid. I’ve always loved listening to music of all genres and I’m constantly on the hunt for new songs, artists, and currently writing some of my own. Especially growing up surrounded by Filipino traditions, music, art, and a large family of talented artists, it became a big part of my life that I hope to share some day.

Aj.Cruz@Seattlechildrens.org