I am a second year PhD Student in Dr. Aric Logsdon's lab in the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience at Texas Tech University Health and Sciences Center. I find fulfillment in helping people and possess a relentless fascination in understanding how the brain functions. As such, I have a strong interest in translational research and am currently studying possible novel treatment strategies for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-induced pain sensitivity in Dr. Logsdon’s lab. More specifically, I am currently investigating the functional role(s) for Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in mediating TBI-induced neuropathic pain. UCHL1 is an enzyme highly expressed in both neurons and peripheral nerves that 1) functions to maintain intracellular homeostasis, and 2) serves as an established blood-based biomarker for TBI severity. I am doing this by first performing functional pain studies following repetitive mild TBI in genetically modified mice where the functionality of UCHL1 is altered. My goals are to elucidate how these mutations can impact TBI-induced changes in behavior and pain sensitivity. I hope that my research in Dr. Logsdon’s lab will be able to make a positive impact for TBI patients.