Michael Burnham was left orphaned after her parents were killed during a Klingon attack on Doctari Alpha. Burnham was then brought to Vulcan to live with Sarek, his human wife Amanda Grayson and their son, Spock. Despite the loss, Burnham quickly adapted to Vulcan logic disciplines and became an outstanding student at the Vulcan Science Academy and accepting a commission in Starfleet upon her graduation.