What is your current state of mind?
My mind keeps wondering to my upcoming, return trip to Aruba and the beautiful beaches.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
One of my pets. Just ask my cats, Maggie and Jackson.

What is your most treasured possession?
The necklaces my mother had made for me (and my sister) from her engagement and wedding ring diamonds.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
If I must pick one of Aristotle’s 12 – I’ll go with pride.

Who are your favorite writers?
Malcom Gladwell.

What is your greatest fear?
Heights.

Who are your heroes in real life?
Those that rush to the aid of other’s during a crisis.

What is one of the most challenging professional projects you’ve worked on and why?
Our patient centered video series. While I have a wonderful videographer that I work with, it’s not as easy as it might seem. Emory is heavy in the biomedical/healthcare areas. If the technology is a diagnostic – How do you find a patient when the technology was just a part of the process to get treatment? If the technology is a surgical device – does the patient know it was used and do they understand the importance of its role? With patient privacy laws how do you find someone who’s willing to speak about their experiences?
To date I’ve managed three of these projects: The patients included a woman with treatment-resistant depression who attempted suicide and found relief from TMS; a woman who lost her husband and two of her three children to AIDS, was HIV positive herself but has survived with the assistance of antiretroviral drugs; and a woman who was infected with HIV shortly after birth, while her twin was not, and didn’t know until she as 8, went through the challenges of childhood with HIV but has survived with the assistance of antiretroviral drugs.

I’m personally there for the interviews and filming with the patients and heavily involved in the editing of the final products. It’s moving to hear them share such personal stories. These patients have entrusted me with their stories and I feel a sense of responsibility to do it well. When my time in tech transfer is done I’m certain these stories will stay with me and be one of my career highlights.