MIT Biology stood out to me because the research interests of the faculty are so diverse. My background is in biochemistry, and I  expected to be forced to choose between studying that or exploring other realms of biology — but MIT Biology doesn’t draw those distinctions, and instead incorporates many disciplines into one department. As a result, I’ve discovered new interests in plant development and genetics. I was drawn to Jing-Ke Weng’s lab in particular because his calm and open attitude made for a harmonious research environment.