Following the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, I was fortunate enough to join the research group working under Dr. Andrea McQuate. This lab studies the molecular mechanisms underlying the mitochondria of cochlear hair cells to learn more deeply the connection between energy production and hearing loss. The clinical significance of this research is a better understanding of the auditory system, and will potentially lead to future treatments of “mitochondrial deafness”.  I plan to attend graduate school for molecular biology and pursue a career in genetics or immunology.