Briana McRae (she/her) received her PhD in neurobiology and behavior from Columbia University, studying how the brain changes to support motherhood. She earned her BS in brain and cognitive sciences with a minor in computer science from MIT. In her graduate research, she combines whole-brain imaging and behavioral quantification methods in mice to analyze how brain-wide responses to infant cries are altered by maternal experience. Outside the lab, Briana has been recognized for her leadership in science outreach, communication, and advocacy. She is co-president of Columbia University Neuroscience Outreach, overseeing multiple community engagement programs in New York City. She was selected as an Early Career Policy Ambassador with the Society for Neuroscience, which empowered her to advocate for federal research funding on Capitol Hill throughout her PhD. Briana is now looking forward to applying her analytical and communication skills to evidence-informed public health policy.