Leila Ghaffari

Background

I grew up in Frederick, Maryland and moved to Baltimore to attend the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and I am currently in my third year. Beginning in high school, I pursued my passion for research and medicine. I interned in the NGHRI of the NIH and shadowed in the Clinical Center. During the Summer after my freshman year, I interned in the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Virginia, where I understood the impact computers can have on molecular design and peptide synthesis. Throughout this time I am also involved in my sustained research lab on campus studying behavioral neuroscience in drosophila melanogaster under the guidance of Dr. Fernando Vonhoff. Since the fall of 2021, I have been an undergraduate intern in Dr. Michaelides’ lab. At UMBC, I am majoring in biological sciences and minoring in computer science and vocal performance. I am interested in behavioral neuroscience and the interdisciplinary studies conducted through biology and computer science. After college I aspire toward a career as a physician scientist. Outside academics I enjoy music, art, and playing with my dog.