Xiomara Barillas is a first-generation, fourth-year student majoring in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology. Fall 2024 is her third year working with Dr. Kimberly Kelly in the Child Language Interactions and Memory (CLIaM) Lab. Inspired by her siblings, she joined CLIaM lab to gain professional research experience and explore how children engage with STEM in informal learning settings. In the lab, she’s focused on building her prioritization and time management skills, seeing CLIaM as a great place to grow professionally. With a strong interest in helping others, Xiomara plans to pursue Physician Assistant school after graduation. She has actively participated in research events, presenting at the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) ​symposium​ with Caitlin Fourrat in Spring 2022 and with Dr. Kelly and other research assistants in 2023. She also attended the Western Psychological Association (WPA) Conference in 2023 and the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference in Spring 2024. After three years of research experience, Xiomara has strengthened her reading, listening, and qualitative coding skills. She is excited to use them as a CLIaM lab coordinator. In her free time, Xiomara enjoys listening to music, watching shows and going shopping. She also enjoys spending time at amusement parks with her family and friends and trying out cooking and baking recipes she finds online.