I am a recent graduate from the Oregon State University's Wood Science Engineering program with a special focus on renewable materials art and design. My interest in renewable materials was influenced by my multicultural upbringing and the uniqueness of the Pacific Northwest.Although I was born in Stuttgart, Germany, I was raised in the Pacific Northwest with close ties to my German heritage and paternal side of my family. This diversity and exposure to international travel molded my creative mind and passion for the natural beauty of wood and renewable materials.It also fostered my entrepreneurial spirit early on and prompted me to start my own bath and body products and knitwear business at 16. I was fortunate and humbled to receive the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award for establishing my own business at a young age.The experience I gained from my entrepreneurial efforts and the education I received have advanced my focus on renewable materials art and design. In addition, I was able to refine my skill set and acquire hands-on experience with the artistic and technical design of wood products, their production, and the management of design projects.