Originally from Clarence Center, NY , Nicholas Ader studied biochemistry and biology at Villanova University, with a minor in history. As a Goldwater and DAAD RISE Scholar, Nicholas has engaged in numerous research opportunities both at Villanova and abroad. Outside of his academics, Nicholas served as Co-Chair of Back on My Feet (BoMF) at Villanova, a service group that helps residents of Philadelphia temporary homeless shelters to use running to get both literally and figuratively back on their feet. He plans to study the molecular and cellular basis of neurodegenerative diseases as they relate to protein folding.