Biographical: My life began on May 16, 1978 in what was once a small town in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Having grown up in such a diverse geographical part of the country, I have gained an appreciation for the wonders of the world. Ever since I was young, I was especially interested in natural phenomena.

Growing up in the Bay Area also meant that I was never more than a 3 hour drive from the mountains. My Aunt and Uncle had a home in the quaint town of Mt. Shasta, which offers a view of the majestic volcanic mountain, from which its name is derived. The many summers and winters I spent there offered me experiences in an environment that fostered a greater love for the geosciences.

One of the drawbacks of growing up in the Bay Area, however, was the lack of "interesting weather". Most people would agree that abundant sunshine, tepid temperatures, and quiescent winds - everyday - are good things; but to a weather enthusiast like me, this placid climate was less than ideal. I was left hungry for the grumble of thunder - a rare occurrence in our area. However, this climatological constancy left with me the desire to experience and understand a greater variety of weather. This desire shaped the ultimate decision about my life - to become a meteorologist.

Those nights that storms would roll in would leave my brother (also an avid weather enthusiast) and I with our faces glued to the window hoping to see the glimmer of lightning and hear the rumble of thunder. My brother - having a more keen sense of hearing than I - was always the one to wake me up when we were lucky enough to have a thunderhead amble over. No matter the time of day or night, we were always humble patrons of the view from our bedroom window. It was clear at a young age that I would spend my life devoted to this unfathomably complex set of atmospheric processes we call weather.

My dream of becoming a meteorologist has led me to the University of Oklahoma, which exists in an area with infinitely more dynamic weather. My studies here - luckily enough - do not end in the class room; I am also a certified Storm Spotter. The laboratory for my discipline is the great outdoors. I believe that observing the phenomena that I have studied in the classroom enhances my understanding of atmospheric processes.

I am fortunate to have learned about atmospheric science from some of the most eminent scientists in the field. The education I've received thus far has sparked special interests which include instrumentation, and the boundary layer - the portion of the atmosphere nearest the surface. Observing the societal impacts of severe weather has led me to my life's passion - emergency management. I feel very excited that my work with FEMA has given me an opportunity to serve the community in a fashion that addresses my interests most - both as a meteorologist and as an emergency manager.