Understanding the awesome and wondrous functions of the brain has been my passion since I can remember-- at least as early as ninth grade, when I first read the line from Socrates, "the Unexamined Life [Brain] is Not Worth Living [Having]." [my interpretation] This passion has been my beacon: It guided me to graduate studies in Neuroscience (examining the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory with Professor Paul E. Gold); to postdoctoral studies in Pharmacology (examining Functions of Serotonin Receptors with Professor Elaine Sanders-Bush); and to independent studies examining the Structure and Function of Serotonin Receptors for Neuropsychiatric Drug Discovery and Development. My ultimate goal is to provide knowledge and tools that can be used to improve mental well-being, especially for those with severe mental health disorders, including fragile X syndrome, addiction, and schizophrenia.