I started researching with Dr. Anne M. Spuches during the Fall 2020 semester and completed it throughout my time at ECU. The Spuches Lab has begun work towards understanding the thermodynamic and structural changes that occur upon Cd2+ binding to human cardiac troponin C (hcTnC), an EF-hand Ca2+ binding protein that is responsible for cardiac muscle contraction. My work built on these efforts as I expanded our studies to investigate Pb2+ binding to hcTnC to better understand toxic metal interactions with proteins and peptides from a fundamental thermodynamic, structural, and kinetic perspective. This research helped me gain a better understanding of the concepts and techniques in biochemistry such as ITC, CD, and protein purification. I completed my Signature Honors Project(SHP): A Structural and Thermodynamic Investigation of Lead Binding to Human Cardiac Troponin C(hcTnC) at the end of Fall 2021 semester with a written thesis and two formal poster presentations at Research and Creative Achievement Week at ECU 2021 in which I recieved first place in the undergraduate natural sciences poster category and State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium 2021.