With support from the WIC+ professional development travel grant, I was able to attend the 2025 Spring Materials Research Society Meeting in Seattle, WA. This was my first time attending and participating in a week-long conference out of state and it was an incredible opportunity. Getting to spend a full week immersed in cutting edge research and focused on my own professional development was extremely rewarding. I was able to make valuable connections and start collaborations within my field. Additionally, I was able to learn about adjacent fields and get introduced to new topics in a way that would not be possible outside of large conference setting. I made several connections with other researchers around the world that I hope to use as I build my career. Lastly, I presented my research in a seminar which lead to fruitful discussions and ideas with leaders in my field. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and appreciate WIC+ and the Dow Professional Development Grant for making this valuable experience possible!