Ok, I think you need to decide what you are really interested in. ML and neural networks research are very different from projects like openworm both of which

Ok, I think you need to decide what you are really interested in. ML and neural networks research are very different from projects like openworm both of which are very different from neuroscience work and modeling. So you have three very distinct areas of research and work. Which one are you most interested in? Of the three the ML side probably has the most guaranteed value to you. Things like openworm are shoot-the-moon type projects that are frankly unlikely to succeed in achieving their ambitious goals. Neuroscience research can be incredibly difficult due to the fact you're dealing with live people and there is unfortunately a lot of hand-wavy, "voodoo-esque" statistical and modeling techniques currently being employed in the analytical side of the field.