Not every child actor makes a smooth transition to adult rules. When Mayim Bialik decided to take a break from acting, she opted for the unorthodox route of pursuing a PhD in neuroscience. Luckily for Bialik, her science background would end up helping her acting career more than she could have expected.

In her book “The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,” Jessica Radloff reveals, through a series of exclusive interviews, how Bialik was able to nab the part of Amy Farrah Fowler over Kate Micucci, who ultimately ended up playing Raj’s love interest, Lucy. “Chuck [Lorre] loved that she actually had a PhD in neuroscience,” said “The Big Bang Theory” writer and producer Steve Molaro. “It could have gone either way between Mayim or Kate, but because Mayim could bring an authenticity to the science and to the intelligence of the character, Chuck was like, ‘I think that’s so cool. Let’s go with her.'”

Read Related Also: Is Jim Parsons Married To Todd Spiewak? Net Worth, Biography, & Age

The producers also went with Bialik because of her ability to play opposite Jim Parsons’ Sheldon. “Chuck said, ‘You know, we’re looking for a female version of Sheldon,’ and Mayim goes, ‘I got it,’ recalled casting director Ken Miller. “She knew exactly what she was going to do with the character.”