Sandy received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California Irvine. Soon after, she began her Masters studies at California State University, Los Angeles, where she studied effectors of the innate mucosal immune system. After completing her Masters, she made the long trek over to UCLA, where she is currently a graduate student in the Butler Laboratory. Sandy is interested on gaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate axon guidance. She hopes that this information can be applied to the prevention of neurodevelopmental defects and to the repair and regeneration of damaged nervous systems. Outside of the lab, she likes to run, hike, visit art museums and watch documentaries.