Sophia Rueda is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience. She conducts research in the DeNardo lab which focuses on how mPFC connections form, how they function from early development to adulthood, and how they can be perturbed by early life adversity. All this information is crucial to help us understand the mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and lay foundations for more targeted treatments. The project she is currently focusing on aims to understand how transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment for major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, produces its therapeutic effects. While this treatment has proved effective for many individuals, there have also been variable outcomes. The lack of understanding of the neurobiological effects caused by this therapy hinders the possibility of creating more effective interventions for a larger range of psychiatric disorders. Her project will be focusing on rTMS induced plasticity changes in the brain. She will focus on the presence of perineuronal nets (PNNs) within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). PNNs are a part of a meshwork of extracellular proteins that regulate synaptic plasticity. It is hypothesized that rTMS may break down PNNs, allowing plastic changes to occur that can ultimately rescue behavioral symptoms of depression or OCD. Sophia would like to thank the DeNardo Lab, especially Dr. Laura DeNardo and Michael Gongwer for their continued mentorship. She would also like to thank the CARE Fellows Program for supporting her through this invaluable research experience.