At the age of 7, she contracted the Phage virus. In that time she had a uncle named Shmullus who made her laugh. In 2372, after she treated an outbreak of the Phage on Fina Prime, she began to feel the agonizing effects associated with the Phage's advanced stages, leading to a degradation of her neural patterns. She sent out a distress call, which was responded to by the Federation starship, USS Voyager. (VOY episode: "Lifesigns")