Savannah Ruffino is a creative and disciplined, Neuroscience Ph.D. student, with a strong interest in neuroplasticity and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying both traumatic brain injury and seizures. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Biochemistry and Chemistry from California State University, Chico, where she graduated with honors. She has previous experience in behavioral neuroscience, investigating the consequences of adolescent benzodiazepine exposure and the impact of adolescent stress on opioid use vulnerability. Her current research focuses on neuroplasticity and unraveling the complex neural mechanisms that contribute to changes in neurocircuitry following traumatic brain injury, with the goal of informing therapeutic interventions. She is a recipient of the Dr. Dionel Avilés ’53 and Dr. James Johnson ’67 Fellowship, which supports high-achieving scholars whose backgrounds and research experiences contribute to academic excellence and diversity at Texas A&M University. This fellowship enables her to fully dedicate herself to coursework, research, and professional development, while fostering collaboration, innovation, and leadership within the STEM. Beyond research she is passionate about teaching individuals from all backgrounds that science is accessible and something that they are more than capable of pursuing, understanding, and succeeding in. Cultivating and increasing success for all students resonates with my desire to contribute as a first generation graduate student, female scientist, educator, and activist. In her free time, Savannah enjoys hiking, powerlifting, and spending time with her dog and family.