I have sent protein samples to space to better understand their structure and clarify how they regulate metabolism. I've spent weeks living on a boat while diving and collecting soft corals and sponges that may have anti-cancer properties. I've wandered for days in steamy Florida scrub with an antenna and receiver tracking the home ranges of Florida box turtles.My career has been dynamic and interwoven with a common thread: a persistent curiosity driving me to explore and better understand the world around me. As an interdisciplinary, goal oriented scientist I bring creative and unique perspectives from the fields of biology, biochemistry, engineering and business development. I thrive on challenges to discover new biological mechanisms and learn cutting edge techniques that may provide outcomes to improve human health. Accomplishments & Skills-On Earth-- Expression, purification and crystallization of over two dozen proteins- While at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, I re-designed previous purification protocols for nuclear receptors that significantly increased purity and yield- Team member that developed a high throughput protein crystallization facility at the Houston Methodist, including the first Mosquito Crystal robot in the Texas Medical Center- Strong technical background of science hardware design, development and testing- Competent and effective communicator. Has acted as a liaison between client researchers and engineering, C-level, business development/sales, marketing, and program management teams-In Space-- First to use a microbatch, microcapillary protein crystallization system in microgravity, increasing samples flown per flight 50X - Developed dozens of microgravity experiments for clients, ranging from microbiology and plant growth to structural biology - Created and designed the first date palm tree grown in microgravity as well as a suite of various experiments for the first UAE astronaut - Extensive knowledge of microgravity spaceflight research and hardware- Produced training videos and directly trained astronauts on science hardware and proceduresWhen not in the lab, I can be found chasing rockets, flying, backpacking, moutain climbing, reading or discovering new ways to escape gravity.