From an early age, I was drawn to building things. One of my earliest memories is receiving a hammer and a box of nails for my 10th birthday—an exciting gift that fueled my interest in construction as I built projects from scrap wood in my neighborhood. While I excelled in math, I also inherited a creative eye for design from my artist parents, which shaped my interest in structures. In high school, I dreamed of designing roller coasters, captivated by their engineering and complexity. Though I didn’t find a “roller coaster design” major on college applications, I discovered architectural engineering—a perfect blend of math, physics, and creativity. That choice set me on the path to structural engineering, where I’ve spent the past 20 years specializing in earthquake-resistant design. Knowing that my work helps create safer, more resilient structures that protect people in seismic events makes this career incredibly fulfilling.
- B.S., Architectural Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 2002
- M.S., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2003
