I am an undergraduate pre-pharmacy student currently pursuing a B.S. in Biology. As a military brat I've been blessed with the opportunity to live in and visit many places including Guam, several areas of Japan, and Okinawa. I moved to Hawai'i in 2001 after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Since completing cancer treatment in 2004 I have become very passionate about finding ways to give thanks to all those who offered their prayers and support during my time of hardship. I am pursuing a career in pharmacy to not only challenge myself academically, but to acquire knowledge in the hope that I may give thanks to my community and contribute to the well being of others who may benefit from what I've learned. I work here in Dr. Rubinoff's laboratory and also as a volunteer for the pharmacy at Kap'iolani Medical Center at Pali Momi. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my wonderful girlfriend Jamie, playing soccer, watching Lost and House, and going to the beach.

Here at the lab I work closely with Jesse Eiben, a research assistant investigating population studies, rearing methodology, and genetic analysis of Nysius wekiucola. My primary contribution to his research involves obtaining genetic data from these Wekiu bugs. My tasks consist primarily of isolating mitochondrial (and in the future, nuclear) DNA and analyzing/aligning their sequence from these Wekiu bugs.