| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | Competing in the state finals of the National Geographic Bee in 5th and 6th grade was very memorable. I loved looking through the world atlas when I was younger, and I was highly motivated to win the bee at my elementary school. Answering questions under time constraints, on a stage in front of a large crowd, made it both exciting and nerve wracking. The competition undoubtedly served as a formative experience. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My mom is my hero and closest confidant. I'm grateful for all the traits she's passed down to me and the lessons she teaches me daily. She is a role model for her incredible work ethic and willingness to assist at any turn. I deeply admire her incredible passion for the field of reproductive endocrinology. Her work in this area has helped give her patients what her personal accomplishments have given me: a loving family. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Compassion is an emotional trait I believe is deeply important to possess. Our unique backgrounds mean we cannot empathize with every situation; however, we always hold the ability to sympathize with others and offer support in times of need. Dependability and trustworthiness are key to building productive long-term relationships of any nature. I also deeply admire those who are driven and perseverant in pursuits that improve the lives of themselves and those around them. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | The most coincidental event to ever happen to me was on a family vacation to New York City. While we were waiting in line for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, we bumped into our neighbor from back home. Being in a city of millions that was thousands of miles away from home, it was a true "What are the odds?" moment. Chance is a funny thing when improbable proves possible! |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | Visiting every national park in the US would be amazing. I've been able to visit a number of parks in the Mountain West region, but I'm nowhere close to checking off all 63 on the list. I love the physical benefits of hiking and the picturesque views to be taken in along the way. There is an incredible amount of natural beauty across the continent that is, fortunately, preserved within these parks. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I’d stress the importance of good habit forming from a young age because your path in life is simply the accumulation of a large number of small decisions. Along these lines, the most important piece of advice I can give is that time is your only constraint in life, therefore, use it wisely. I would encourage my children to push boundaries when ambition and curiosity necessitate it, while simultaneously maintaining a sense of stability. I’d also want my children to know that the relationships and connections you make in life are the most important things in the long run. Thoughtfulness and trustworthiness in building these relationships is paramount because there always comes a time when you need to lean on those around you. |
