Dr. Maria Michta, microbiologist and Olympic racewalker, will talk about her life's journey as a student, academic, and athlete. Ever since she was a child, Dr. Michta wanted to be an Olympic athlete. She started race walking as a freshman at Sachem High School, eventually making it to the Olympics in London and Rio. Maria applies the same discipline, belief, and motivation to her training as an athlete as she applies to her professional life as an academic. Dr. Michta will talk on what it takes to become a scientist and an athlete, disciplines that are quite similar.