Abstract 2046 The long and winding road that led me to my systems immunology laboratory

From solving circuits to unraveling the complexities of the immune system, my career has been anything but linear. While my biosketch might suggest a straightforward progression-from a B.S. in Electrical Engineering to a Ph.D., postdoctoral research in Biological Engineering, and leading a Systems Immunology lab at the University of Virginia-the reality is a journey shaped by unexpected twists, interdisciplinary exploration, and personal growth. These choices didn't just enrich my personal life; they profoundly influenced where I live, the communities I engage with, and the perspectives I bring to my work.