As you can tell from this photo, science is SERIOUS business. Who am I: My name is Mary Estes, and I am in my last year of graduate school at the University of Memphis. The above photo is from my presentation at the Society for Neuroscience annual conference this past year. The research I presented was completed as part of my PhD program requirements in behavioral neuroscience.   Our lab researches the effects of oxytocin on the mesolimbic dopamine system. It is not a favorite subject for everyone, but neuroscience is my passion and I have spent the last few years of my life dedicated to becoming a neuroscientist. For those of you who haven’t spent years reading article after article in scientific journals about oxytocin, let me give you a quick update. Scientists have studied oxytocin in relation to schizophrenia, autism, PTSD, ADHD, alcoholism, and drugs of abuse. My work seeks to add to this important area of research, which has the possibility of helping people facing a multitude of different issues.  My research focuses on the connection between oxytocin and drugs of abuse. The work I’ve done suggests that oxytocin could be beneficial to preventing relapse for addictions to psychostimulants. Why would I be interested in researching addiction? Most of us know someone struggling with addiction or someone that has overcome an addiction. Conquering an addiction is empowering and life changing. Why I am asking for help: I am finally in the home stretch of completing my PhD requirements. The only thing left to do is to complete my dissertation project. However, the budget for my project is more than what my department can afford. Therefore, I have decided to look outside the University to obtain support to complete this large and, in my opinion, impressive dissertation project. Go big or go home, right? (And I have spent way too much time getting here to go home now!) What I will do with the money: The money received will go towards purchasing lab equipment for my study. If you are interested in seeing the complete list of items needed, I will be glad to send it to you along with the expected costs. Items range from basic everyday lab needs (e.g. gloves, needles, glass slides) to very specialized items (e.g. stimulating electrodes, oxytocin, nomifensine). Any money that is not used for lab equipment will be used to present my research at a conference or to submit my results for publication. Things I am willing to offer in exchange for your support- interpretative dancing at your next wedding, free life advice, traveling therapist services, and my eternal gratitude. I am passionate about this subject, my studies, and the potential for my research. I hope that in reading this, you too can see my passion for my work and its potential to help people.  Please help me get over this last hurdle to becoming Dr. Mary!