In the years following my birth in 1997, I spent a lot of time in and around New York City. My parents were both artists, and we lived in a small studio apartment in Brooklyn where I grew up surrounded by their paintings, sculptures, and photography. They encouraged my creativity from an early age, which led me to take art classes at school starting when I was 6 years old.

The city itself shaped me into the person I am today - I grew up seeing people from all walks of life, each with their own unique style and story. It didn't matter what neighborhood you were from or what your background was; everyone in New York City has a certain level of grit and resilience that's hard to find elsewhere.

Growing up as an artist led me to develop my love for the creative arts, especially music and visual art - I took classes in both areas throughout middle school and high school. In addition, I developed a strong interest in science and mathematics during my time at Stuyvesant High School on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The fast-paced environment of New York City only fueled my desire to explore new ideas and pursue my passions outside of the classroom as well.

I decided to attend Barnard College in Upper Manhattan where I majored in psychology with a minor in sociology. My time at Barnard allowed me to delve deeper into topics that interested me such as cognitive science, behavioral economics, and statistics. Outside of academics, I was part of a group called S.A