What have you done to further your own professional development in the past 5 years.

"Over the last several years, I have found it extremely valuable to enhance my professional skillset beyond my education and traditional training. As research and collaboration increasingly utilize web- and cloud-based apps and platforms, I took it upon myself to attend a conference on Microsoft tools and applications to bring back to my team. I enhanced what I already knew, and I learned in-depth about apps and functions that I'd never seen. The outcome for my team has been overwhelmingly positive. In addition, I joined a local Microbiology Meet-up to network with top professionals in my area and learn from some of their research and experiences. Networking with other professionals in the field has helped me become a better mentor to junior researchers in the lab."