Contrary to common understanding, we are still at the frontier of understanding the human brain. We know, perhaps, less about ourselves than we do about our universe. For years, this has drawn me to research on the human mind — both at a cellular-molecular level and at the broader behavioral level.

In California, I supported cellular-molecular research on dynamic myelination at UCSF. Myelin is like the rubber that coats wire cords, except it coats our brain’s neurons - and allows for faster and more effective signal propagation. When you learn, myelin reinforces the relevant pathways to strengthen them. While most robust in developmental stages, myelination is iterative and dynamic throughout life.

Ultimately, this has lead to my interest in understanding the biological processes that form and reinforce strong connections with others and with positive stimuli. Myelination is part of the system of reinforcement.