Maddi grew up in Salisbury, Maryland and graduated from Salisbury University in 2022 with a B.S in Biology, a B.A. in Psychology, and a minor in Cognitive Science. Her undergraduate research focused on the effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lavendustin-A on peripheral nerve degeneration in a zebrafish model of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Specifically, she looked at how drug treatment attenuates hyperglycemia-induced demyelination. Through a Fulbright Canada MITACS Globalink Research Fellowship, Maddi also collaborated on a hypothesis and theory article focusing on SARS-CoV2’s potential to exacerbate multiple sclerosis. While in the Lukens lab, Maddi was excited to expand her animal model knowledge from zebrafish to mice and learn more about the neuroimmunology involved in neurodegenerative disease. Outside of lab, Maddi enjoys reading, exploring local shops and bookstores, and watching true crime documentaries. Maddi is now a PhD student at The University of Notre Dame.