I am an Afro-Caribbean Canadian PhD candidate at the University of Western Ontario whose research focuses on characterizing and treating NARS1 disease, an early-onset neuropathy caused by mutations in the asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase. I’ve always had an interest in translational health, which blossomed in my undergrad at Western, initially working on epigenetic biomarkers of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Now, I have the privilege of working on yeast, protein, and human cell models of NARS1 disease to help determine and direct treatment strategies. Although I don’t have much personal connection to the disease I am investigating, I had the privilege of attending the CMT conference in Boston last year, which helped bridge my thoughts about how my lab’s work is impacting patients, and how it actually is making a difference. It has been the highlight of the doctoral program, and I look forward to attending others in the future. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering, reading, cooking and playing soccer. Although I discovered my interest in research during my undergraduate studies, I feel as though many leadership and community involvement opportunities were missed, in large part because of shyness and lack of self-belief. I am hoping ENRICH will help empower me, and give me an opportunity to empower others in our development as scientists, leaders and professionals.