Arpita Mukherjee, BA (MA/PhD student), she/hers, graduated from Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences in 2019 with a BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology. In 2023, she matriculated into the Microbial Biology program at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Currently, she is a graduate research student at the Waksman Institute of Research, where she works in the lab of Dr. Srujana Samhita (Sam) Yadavalli. Her research focuses on investigating the fitness advantages of filamentation in Escherichia coli and addressing the challenges of incomplete bacterial quantifications with existing methodologies. Arpita is passionate about fostering a sense of belonging and growth, whether through mentorship or by creating spaces for collaboration and support within the Rutgers community. In her free time, Arpita enjoys immersing herself in a good book, experimenting in the kitchen—especially with baking—and exploring nature through hiking.