Laila is a junior studying biology and society in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She works under the mentorship of Professor Nozomi Nishimura and David Small in applying in vivo multiphoton microscopy to models of cardiovascular disease. This work involves understanding the underlying vascular causes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. After graduation, Laila hopes to take a gap year to continue her research in the lab before matriculating into medical school. Laila is also a West Campus Student Assistant where she works to build community, and a community service project leader for the Women’s Health Initiative. In her free time, Laila enjoys going to a cappella concerts, exploring Ithaca, and watching cat videos.