Lydia is a Neuroscience PhD candidate in Dr. Paul Phillips' lab at the University of Washington. She studies changes in reward circuitry via neuropeptides, such as dynorphin and corticotropin releasing factor, during the progression of substance use disorders using animal models. Prior to starting graduate school, Lydia received her B.S. in neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin. During undergraduate, Lydia researched and mentored in an undergraduate-ran organic chemistry lab and worked as a technician in Dr. Micheala Marinelli's lab that studies neural circuitry of addiction. Outside of lab, Lydia enjoys exploring new foods, snuggling her cats, and baking.