Brenda L. Lakhani is pursuing a doctoral degree in the history of ideas at The University of Texas at Dallas. On campus, she has served as a teaching assistant and officer for Phi Alpha Theta. Her research focuses broadly on borderlands and Indigenous history. Through her research, Lakhani hopes to shed light on overlooked people in U.S. history. She is particularly interested in Native American boarding schools and their long-term impact on survivors. Her experience teaching at community colleges and volunteering with local organizations has inspired her to strive for more inclusive education. Lakhani plans to use her summer in Washington, D.C., to explore how changes in federal policy can foster a more culturally rounded educational experience where all students are represented and uplifted.