​What drew you to the public health field?

The ability to make a concrete difference in people's lives, to facilitate population-level change, and to help bring a voice to everyone who has a stake in the health of their community. 

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What are your research interests?

I am interested in infectious diseases, especially those that are vector-borne. I am interested in how this research can be harnessed to address local issues, but also how it can be applied globally.

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Why ticks?

Because they are fascinating creatures, ticks are hardy, resilient, and found all over the globe. From a health perspective, diseases carried by ticks span the gambit of severity, from symptoms such as meat allergies to fatal diseases such as the Powassan virus. Studying ticks is also a great way to model complex human-animal-ecosystem interactions which allows us to better understand human effects on the environment. 

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What is your philosophy when it comes to mentoring students?

The enthusiasm that students bring to learning gives me so much joy. I believe that every person has something to offer and that it is my duty to amplify the voices of students who have brilliant ideas but might not come from traditional academic backgrounds. 

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What are you interested in outside of work?

I enjoy hiking with my dog and wife (both of whom are tick magnets). I also like rock climbing and comic books.