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Keila Natalia Miles
Neuroscience Doctoral Candidate, University of Cincinnati
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You belong here.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a research scientist. Our lab studies a rare metabolic disease, creatine transporter deficiency, which causes severe intellectual disability. There is no cure for this disease. My dissertation research investigates a potential therapeutic by implementing a ketogenic diet.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I chose the field of neuroscience because at the time it was a field I knew little about and I did not know of any black neuroscientists. I wanted to increase awareness of the field and demonstrate that you don't have to be an expert already--you have to have the desire to learn.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
I received an F-31 diversity grant from the NIH. Younger me didn't even know this type of funding existed. It would have been encouraging to know that provisions are in place that encourage my success in a difficult field.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I love working in STEM because I am responsible for building a story out of research/data. I wake up looking forward to making new discoveries that are uniquely mine and contributing to a greater field of knowledge.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
You belong here. The way you think/approach a problem is unique and will contribute new innovations in science.
INSPO / FUN FACT
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
James Baldwin