I was born and raised in China. After finishing my undergraduate education in China, I came to USC to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. My six years of experience in the Department of Biological Sciences Neurobiology program has helped tremendously in shaping my career trajectory after graduation. I had the opportunity to work with a world-class neurobiologist Dr. Richard F. Thompson. Under his guidance, I learned how to develop my scientific curiosity into testable hypothesis. His encouragement and support over various stages of my graduate study taught me that the key to success, and more importantly, to have fun in science is to follow ones curiosity and instinct, and to never give up. The friendly, collegial environment in the USC neuroscience program was fantastic for a young foreign student. I consider myself very fortunate that I had joined the USC neuroscience program for my PhD education.