Natalya was born and raised in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area in Western Nevada. She grew up competing in gymnastics and specialized in competitive tumbling during college. As a four-year member of the U.S. National Gymnastics Team, she competed in the World Games, World Championships, and many other international/national competitions in tumbling. When her feet were firmly planted on the ground, she pursued her undergraduate degree in Biology in Nevada. Her thesis focused on utilizing mouse hybridoma technology for the development of a Cryptococcus diagnostic assay for use in HIV clinics worldwide. After medical school at the University of Nevada, she moved up north to Wisconsin for her pediatrics residency (lured by the promise of lyme and Blastomycosis). As far as she knows, she remained tick-free and Blasto-free as she discovered her interests in antimicrobial stewardship, opportunistic infections, and vaccinology during residency. She won two prestigious resident teaching awards as well. In her free time, she loves to kayak, exercise, cook, and play with her two pups.