Ryan Smith

is at the core of my being. I was raised, along with my older brother, in a small, liberal town in Berea, Kentucky – atypical from the rest of the state – by working-class parents who came from large households and humble backgrounds. This upbringing helped mold me to become open minded, inquisitive, and hard working. The sciences have always attracted me and growing up witnessing illnesses in my family – particularly my grandparents – inspired me to pursue a career that could make an impact on optimizing both mental acuity and physical health. I crave being intellectually stimulated and doing things that are relatively unique.