Natalie was born and raised in midwestern Illinois. She completed her undergraduate studies at Monmouth College with a B.S. in biochemistry and a minor in mathematics in the Spring of 2024. While there, she researched a novel method for nitrogen-nitrogen bond formation under the guidance of Dr. Michael Prinsell. Natalie came to the University of Illinois in the Fall of 2024 where she is currently advised by Dr. Angad Mehta and Dr. Wilfred van der Donk. Her current research focuses on developing a platform that allows for the selection of cyclic peptides.