I am a friendly, compassionate person and will go out of my way to help anyone (including complete strangers). I am really passionate about my research in microbiology, and I enjoy explaining my work to others. Aside from my interests in science, I enjoy hanging out with friends, reading, watching really any type of movie, spending time outside, and getting to know new people; I have also become somewhat of a football, basketball, baseball, and hockey fan.

I am a graduate student at the University of Michigan, working on my PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. I study microbial virulence (i.e. how bacteria make you sick), I also like to think of myself as somewhat of a mutation under selective pressure expert (i.e. how bacteria evolve to make you even sicker, become resistant to antibiotics, etc). I hope to pursue a career as a professor (and also start a few biotech companies or institutes) with research interests in genomics, gene regulation, mutagenesis, microbial pathogenesis, vaccine development, and drug discovery/development.

For the most part, I am good at thinking outside the box, with regard to a plethora of science and mathematics topics. I am also good at listening to others and providing advice. Also, I am really good at making people laugh (despite what you must be thinking about me up to this point ;)).

I like to dress nice; I really believe in dressing for the job you want. After most people meet me, they also notice that I am an intelligent, conscientious, and compassionate person.

I really enjoy reading Charles Dickens and William Faulkner. My favorite films include the James Bond movies, the Indiana Jones movies, the Die Hard movies, the Star Wars movies, the Patriot, Stephen King's Storm of the Century, the Crucible, other (at least approximations of) period films, Death of a Salesman, the Great Outdoors, Tommy Boy, and I also like documentaries. I enjoy watching South Park, Family Guy, the Boondocks, the Office, 30 Rock, Jeopardy, Pawn Stars, and other History Channel shows.

I spend a lot of time thinking about my research, my career, and how not to embarrass myself in front of people :).

Out drinking with friends, at home taking it easy, etc (it really varies).