In my first year of research, I studied transforming growth factor beta and its effect on intrauterine growth restriction in babies. The summer before my first year, I explored numerous topics to decide which one I wanted to research. I then created a mind map to display what I had learned. After deciding my topic would be in the female reproductive field, I contacted my present day mentor, Dr. Kathleen Fisch, and asked her if she would be interested in mentoring me. With her guidance, I created a proposed project that I presented at the Somers Science Fair and Fox Lane Symposium. My summer share project (includes my mind map) and Somers/Symposium poster are attached below.