Hello, my name is Nic Peña, I am a senior at the University of Arizona studying neuroscience and biochemistry. I work in the laboratory of Dr. Daniela Zarnescu investigating cellular and genetic mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I am particularly interested in protein synthesis dysregulation in our fruit fly model of ALS. I plan to continue studying the basic science of neurological disease as a neuroscience Ph.D. student. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball and tennis, hanging with my dogs Leia and Barron, or trying out new places to eat in Tucson.