Helena Oft is an MD/PhD candidate in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Scientist Training Program, pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience. Her research explores questions related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the lab of Dandan Sun, and focuses on the role of mitochondrial function in demyelination, tissue damage and symptoms after repeat mild TBI. Her motivation stems from personal experiences with TBI in herfamily and has been reinforced by clinical work as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), interpersonal violence medical advocate and medical student. Witnessing the prevalence of brain injuries and engaging deeply with the healing process has strengthened her commitment to research aimed at improving outcomes for TBI patients. Her career goal is to become a neuroscientist and a physician scientist specializing in traumatic brain injury. Currently, she pursues this goal by building the skillset needed to provide research-informed care to marginalized patients, whether on the street with UPitt’s Street Medicine team or in her future clinical practice.