Do you have any pets?
Currently no, but I am definitely a dog person, preferably a large mutt – no purebreds for me.
When did you know that you wanted to be a scientist/mathematician?
I was always more interested in science and math. From the age of 2-16, I wanted to be a dentist. However, at age 16, I realized I would rather be a scientist.
What advice would you give yourself at 20-years-old?
If I were currently 20, I would tell myself to develop as broad and deep a foundation in the sciences as is possible. There will be plenty of time later to hone one’s interests and expertise. With a strong and broad foundation in the sciences, it will be much more natural and in fact easier, to develop a specific area of interest at which you can become an expert.
Who is your childhood hero?
As a child, I wanted to be an Olympic gold medalist and a Nobel Laureate. Olympic gold medalists such as Mark Spitz and Nobel Laureates such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Albert Einstein were some of my childhood heroes. As I matured, my parents became my true heroes, as they are to this day. This may sound a bit cliché, but because of my parent’s determination, hard work, and encouragement (that sometimes felt like nagging), they ensured that their children and grandchildren had better educational opportunities than those provided to them. As a result, their two children and two grandchildren hold doctoral degrees (2 Ph.D.s, 1 Ed.D., and one M.D.).
