Mary Jane Builes is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and attends American University in Washington D.C. majoring in International Studies. At AU, Mary Jane is part of the Community Based Research Scholars Program where she gained skills in community informed research. She believes that community members are the experts and solutions to a social issue should be informed by the persons affected by the issue. This summer, Mary Jane is excited to expand her research skills and create collaborative solutions for a future without hunger.