Dr. Ingrid Vallee is a PhD candidate at Scripps Research studying enzyme biochemistry in the context of rare NARS1 disease. Her research specifically focuses on understanding the toxic mechanisms by which mutations in the NARS1 gene cause neurodevelopmental disorders. Before moving to the US for her PhD, Ingrid obtained her PharmD from Paris University in France, where she is originally from. Through interactions with patients, she became passionate about precision medicine and is dedicated to advancing targeted therapeutic solutions that minimize toxic side effects by deepening the understanding of disease mechanisms. This passion led her to pursue a PhD focusing on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, a family of enzymes that play a central role in protein synthesis and, when mutated, are associated with a wide range of diseases. When she’s away from the bench, she actively engages in mentoring students, communicating science and participating in outreach initiatives. Outside the lab, Ingrid enjoys playing sports, crafting, and spending time with her dog, Panda.