I enjoy teaching and working in the laboratory, but I also like to ski in the local mountains around Los Angeles and gardening. I am fascinated by the world around me and that includes how things grow, climate, weather, animals, and people. Underlying everything are a myriad of biochemical reactions that continue in cycles. I am interested in how they work and how this knowledge can be applied to benefit people. This was my motivation when I began to work in a research laboratory in 1998, studied to obtain a BS in Agricultural Biotechnology, influenced my work as a PhD candidate and postdoctoral scholar, and now as an Associate Professor of Biochemistry. I am excited to share my ideas on how to solve research questions, but more importantly develop the ideas of students. If you have some shared research ideas feel free to contact me about developing them in the laboratory.