Alumna Anahi Bustillos Salazar Shares Her Journey From USD To A PHD
Anahi Bustillos Salazar’s academic journey began with a fascination for the human mind and body—and a deep appreciation for community. A 2022 graduate of the University of San Diego, she earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience with a minor in biomedical ethics. Today, she’s a fourth-year PhD student in neurobiology at the University of Chicago, studying the neural mechanisms of drug addiction.
“What attracted me to the major was the set of classes offered by the program that brought together both psychology and biology courses,” Bustillos Salazar explained. “This kind of joint training helped me learn about human behavior and its biological basis.”
Her time at USD was marked not only by academic rigor but also by meaningful relationships. “My most memorable moments from USD were always with the lifelong friends I made—we’d go to the beach, attend school events and visit each other’s homes,” she recalled. “This also included going to class together and working in lab!”
Bustillos Salazar credits much of her academic growth to the faculty at USD. “The professors at USD played a huge role in shaping both my growth as a student and my academic path,” she said. “I haven’t come across another community of educators who are not only incredibly passionate about their fields, but who also genuinely care about their students both academically and personally.”
That mentorship proved pivotal as she transitioned into graduate school. Now at the University of Chicago, she uses genetic and molecular tools to investigate how the brain responds to addictive substances—a field she’s deeply passionate about.
“If I could offer any advice to students interested in graduate school, it would be to form connections with your professors, advisors, PIs, etc.,” she advised. “I truly feel like those relationships are what pushed me to expand my intellect and opened the doors to so many incredible opportunities.”
Despite the demands of academia, Bustillos Salazar remains grounded in what she values most: connection, curiosity and community. “I’ve felt successful ever since starting undergrad at USD because I’ve continued to feel motivated and passionate about the topics I’ve pursued in school and in work,” she said. “Most importantly, I feel I’ve met the most incredible and beautiful people along the way.”
As she continues her research and looks ahead to the future, Bustillos Salazar carries with her the lessons and relationships that shaped her at USD. “As long as I have [those people] in my life, stay close to family and keep learning about things I care about, I consider that a success.”