Q1. Who inspired you to become a scientist?

There wasn’t a single individual who inspired me—my interest in science has been there since childhood. I was always the kid running little experiments, taking things apart, and trying to understand why the world works the way it does.

Q2. What drives your research interest?

My research is driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the molecular details that shape human health and disease. I’m motivated by the challenge of uncovering how biological systems work, and by the impact that high-quality proteomics and metabolomics can have on advancing science. Ultimately, I’m driven by the belief that rigorous discovery can lead to better treatments and improved outcomes for patients.

Q3. What is your current research focus?

My current research focuses on advancing mass-spectrometry–based proteomics and metabolomics to better understand the molecular mechanisms of disease. I’m working to develop faster, more sensitive workflows and integrated analytical pipelines that improve protein and metabolite identification, quantification, and biological interpretation. A major emphasis is on enabling investigators to answer complex biological questions through high-quality, reproducible multi-omics data.

Q4. Who are your current scientific influences?

I’m influenced by scientists who combine technological innovation with a strong sense of purpose—those advancing proteomics, metabolomics, and systems biology to solve real biomedical challenges. I’m also shaped by collaborators and mentors who value teamwork, data quality, and patient-centered science. Their approaches inform how I think about building impactful workflows and supporting discovery across St. Jude.

Q5. If you hadn’t become a scientist, what would your dream job be?

If I weren’t a scientist, I always thought being a pilot would be an amazing job because I love traveling. Unfortunately, there’s one small flaw in that plan: I don’t really like flying. So it’s safe to say aviation and I were never meant to be.

Q6. What are your hobbies?

I stay active and balanced through running, watching sports, and spending time at my kids’ games. I also love playing golf with my son and cooking whenever I get the chance—it’s one of my favorite creative outlets.

Q7. What books influenced you the most?

I’ve been especially influenced by the work of Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and Stephen King. Their storytelling ranges from sharp satire to rich character portraits to gripping suspense, and each of them taught me different ways to think, observe, and understand people.

Q8. What are your favourite movies?

My favorite movies are a mix of sharp storytelling and great humor: The Usual Suspects, Full Metal Jacket, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Swingers, and The Big Lebowski. I like films that are clever, quotable, and leave a lasting impression.

Q9. What advice would you give your 18-year old self?

I’d tell my 18-year-old self to relax a little, stay curious, and stop worrying about having every detail figured out. Work hard, be patient—and maybe don’t stress quite so much about the future. It turns out things work out just fine, even without a perfect plan.

Q10. What, in your opinion, is the “next big thing” in the field of scientific research?

I believe the next big thing will be the seamless integration of multi-omics, AI, and high-resolution single-cell techniques. Bringing these layers together will let us understand biology with unprecedented depth and precision—moving us toward more predictive, personalized, and truly mechanism-driven science.