The Courage to Begin Before You're Ready

There is something both terrifying and beautiful about starting over somewhere unfamiliar. You leave behind the people, places, and routines that have always made you feel at home, and suddenly, even the smallest things require courage. When I moved from Italy to the United States to pursue my education, I knew I was taking an important step toward my future. What I didn't realize was how much that decision would teach me about myself.

I arrived with ambitions, questions, and a genuine love for learning, but certainly not all the answers. I had to find my place in a new environment, adapt to a different educational system, and learn to trust myself in situations that were completely unfamiliar. Looking back, I think one of the most important lessons I've learned is that you can be both uncertain and determined at the same time.

And sometimes, that is enough to begin.

Finding My Place in Science

When I first stepped into a research laboratory, I was surrounded by people whose knowledge and experience seemed almost impossible to match. I remember how intimidating it could feel to encounter unfamiliar techniques, complicated scientific questions, and experiments that didn't always go as planned.

But what I eventually discovered is that research isn't about knowing everything. In fact, much of science begins with admitting what we don't know.

Since beginning my research journey at the University of Arizona in 2024, I've had the opportunity to explore several areas of biomedical science, from neuroscience and pharmacology to protein biochemistry and molecular biology. Today, my work includes investigating enzymes found in recluse spider venom and exploring the molecular mechanisms associated with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

These subjects may seem worlds apart, but they've taught me something similar: meaningful discoveries often begin with questions that nobody has fully answered.

Research has also taught me patience in ways I never expected. Experiments fail. Results contradict expectations. Sometimes, hours of preparation lead to more questions than answers. I've learned that frustration and progress are not necessarily opposites. Often, they're part of the same process.

Some of my most valuable experiences haven't come from getting an experiment right the first time, but from learning to understand why something went wrong and having the patience to try again.

The People Who Help Us See Our Potential

One of the things I'm most grateful for is the people who have encouraged me throughout my journey.

I've been fortunate to work with mentors who saw potential in me even when I was still learning to recognize it myself. My research mentor, Dr. Matthew Cordes, has played an especially meaningful role in helping me develop as a scientist. Through his guidance, I've learned not only how to approach scientific problems more thoughtfully but also how important patience, curiosity, and persistence are to the research process.

I think we sometimes underestimate how much a few words of encouragement can change someone's direction.

A professor who takes the time to answer a question, a mentor who trusts you with a new responsibility, or someone who reminds you that you're capable of more than you think can make an enormous difference.

Those experiences have shaped how I approach my own roles as a peer mentor, departmental ambassador, and undergraduate learning assistant.

Working with other students has become one of the most meaningful parts of my education. I know what it feels like to be uncertain, to have questions you're hesitant to ask, or to wonder whether you truly belong in a particular environment. Being able to offer another student even a little reassurance or guidance is something I value deeply.

I've come to believe that one of the best things we can do with the opportunities we've received is make them more accessible to someone else.

There Is No Single Way to Build a Future

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would be pursuing three bachelor's degrees in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and Italian while also beginning an accelerated master's degree in biochemistry, I probably would have wondered how I could possibly make it all work.

My interests haven't always followed a conventional path. Alongside biomedical research, I've explored forensic science, healthcare manufacturing, languages, and education.

For a long time, I thought building a successful career meant choosing one direction and following it without looking elsewhere. But my experiences have taught me that curiosity doesn't always fit neatly into one category.

Studying Italian alongside the sciences has reminded me that communication, culture, and human connection matter just as much as technical knowledge. Exploring healthcare manufacturing through a program developed with Roche helped me appreciate the work required to turn scientific discoveries into products that can reach patients.

Each experience has given me a different perspective, and together they've helped me better understand the kind of scientist and person I hope to become.

I don't believe that having different interests means lacking direction. Sometimes, those interests are what allow us to see connections that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Making Room for the Next Generation

As a young woman pursuing a career in science, I've thought a great deal about what it means to belong in spaces where you may not always see people with experiences similar to your own.

I don't think confidence means never questioning yourself. There are still moments when I feel overwhelmed by everything I have left to learn. But I've stopped interpreting those moments as evidence that I don't belong.

Instead, I try to see them as reminders that I'm still growing.

I hope more young women feel comfortable pursuing opportunities before they feel completely prepared, asking questions without embarrassment, and allowing themselves to be ambitious without feeling the need to justify it.

I also hope we continue building environments where women encourage one another, celebrate each other's accomplishments, and recognize that someone else's success doesn't diminish our own.

There is room for more of us to succeed, and there is so much we can accomplish when we help one another get there.

The Courage to Keep Going

When I think about how much my life has changed since leaving Italy, what stands out most isn't a particular award, degree, or research accomplishment. It's the person I've become through the experiences that brought me here.

I've learned to be more independent, more patient with myself, and more willing to pursue things that initially feel beyond my reach. I've also learned that ambition and compassion don't have to exist separately. We can work hard toward our own goals while remaining genuinely invested in the people around us.

I still have so much to learn, and there are plenty of things about my future that I haven't figured out yet. But I've come to appreciate that uncertainty doesn't have to be something we fear.

Sometimes, the most important decisions we make are the ones we make without knowing exactly where they'll lead.

And if there's one thing I hope someone takes away from my story, it's this: don't wait until you feel completely ready to pursue the life you want. You may discover that the courage you were waiting for is something you build along the way.