My research journey started with the ARRS Scholarship in 2012. This opportunity gave me resources and mentorship that formed my critical stepping stones. My ARRS work of penumbral imaging led to two career development awards (2014 CTSA CT2 and 2015 CTSA KL2), which further solidified my research path in stroke imaging. As part of the ARRS award, I also completed my master’s program in clinical and translational research, which included structured education on study design and biostatistics. Since my ARRS Scholarship, I have expanded my local and national network of collaborators and secured consistent funding through the NIH and industry. I now have extensive experience in project management of imaging core labs, including leading the central imaging core labs in multiple, large, industry- and NIH-funded multicenter stroke trials including PRISMS, CLEAR-ER, CLEAR-FDR, ROSE ICH, MOST, NERVIVE AND ENDOLOW. I also developed experience in imaging biomarker development, particularly for acute stroke trials, and writing national guidelines on stroke imaging. Furthermore, the ARRS Scholarship laid the foundation for my leadership and career development. I am currently the Vice Chair of Research for the Radiology Department at the University of Cincinnati. I continue to expand my research with new areas of inquiry in innovative imaging technologies and human centered design thinking, and I am dedicated to growing our department’s research enterprise. I will forever be indebted to The Roentgen Fund®, which not only gave me the financial resources, but also an incredible support system and a nurturing environment, thus setting me up for success.