Kristen Smigielski is a first-year PhD student in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning — Elementary Education. She hopes to research music education curricula and neurodiverse students. A few current interest in this research area include music teacher preparation programs and students with disabilities, and universal design for learning. Throughout her work, she enjoys being an advocate for students with varying ability levels in places where curriculum and teachers may not be fully prepared to support such students. Kristen holds a Master of Science in Education from SUNY College at Buffalo, a Master of Music from University at Buffalo, and a BA in Music from SUNY College at Buffalo. She serves on the Graduate School of Education's Student Research Symposium Committee, and the Learning and Instruction Mentoring Program. She currently teaches elementary students in the Buffalo area, and graduate students at University at Buffalo.