| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experience is catching frogs in the pond/forested area beyond my backyard. Myself, my brother, and our neighborhood buddies took every chance we could get to hop the fence, explore back there, play out our favorite movies/video games, and get a little muddy. I believe these experiences sparked my passion for biology. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I most closely identify with my brother. Although we were polar opposites growing up, we both maintained a sense of adventure, choosing careers that stray from the conventional path and being each other's strongest advocate along the way. For instance, my brother is currently in Germany, teaching German to new residents while applying for a PhD program in Ecological Horror literature. Meanwhile, I explore subglacial microbial interactions beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire individuals who possess an unrelenting passion and the drive to express it. This includes people living out of a van and touring the US to summit scenic climbs, a corporate project manager orchestrating a product launch, or an author sharing their vibrant inner world with the public. Additionally, I value those who have an easy laugh, quick wit, and kindness. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | One of the funniest things that happened to me was trying to impress a date in college with a homemade meatloaf. I wasn’t exactly a culinary expert, but I figured everyone loves meatloaf and it couldn’t be that hard to make. Unfortunately, it turned out tasting like a saltlick, and my date wasn’t impressed, but we laughed it off and ended up grabbing calzones instead. This experience, along with others, helped me learn not to take myself too seriously. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | Without financial or time constraints, I’d love to explore (e.g., backpack through) Eastern Europe. Places like Prague, Budapest, Romania, and their neighboring countries have rich histories and scenic landscapes that fuel my adventurous drive. I dream of diving deeper into Europe, stepping off the beaten path, enjoying local pubs, and hiking, camping, or rock climbing as much as possible. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | If I ever have children, I’d want to pass on relentless curiosity, along with the confidence to pursue their passions. I’d encourage them to think outside the box, brush themselves off quickly when knocked down, and appreciate diverse perspectives. Above all, I’d hope to instill in them a love of life and a desire to explore/discover/try everything the world has to offer. |
