1. What are you working on now that excites you the most?

Dr. Fuchs and I have invested an enormous amount of time in the past 5-10 years to promote research opportunities for our students. This work has culminated in the idea that an Office of Student Research is needed that formalizes our efforts and gives a structure and sustainability. The creation of the Office of Student Research has garnered support at every level within COMP, but perhaps most importantly from our students. I am extremely excited to move this project forward in collaboration with Dr. Fuchs, who will tackle the clinical years, whereas I will focus on the preclinical years.

 2. What book has had the greatest impact on your life?

That is a tough one. I had to contemplate for a while, but eventually decided that it must be the first chapter book that I ever read on my own, given to me by my grandmother at about age 7. The book “Ein Käfer wie ich” by Austrian children book author Erwin Moser featured the adventures of a flour beetle. I cannot exactly remember why, but this book captivated me and instilled a life-long love for reading. Following, I started to devour any book that I could get my hands on, appropriate or not for a kid of my age.  For instance, about a year later, I read one of my mom’s books “Wer die Nachtigall stört”. This is the German translation of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I cannot say that I understood all nuances of this book while reading it, but I would like to think that this and other readings instilled a sense of right and wrong at an early age.

3. What is your most prized possession?

Define possession. When I think of any items I own, I believe that I could get over the loss of anything relatively quickly. If permissible, I would define my most prized possession as my memories of profound and joyful life events, such as my wedding, the birth of my children, beautiful travels, etc.

4. What is something that surprises people about you?

Perhaps the following: My paternal grandfather along with both my parents were pharmacists and operated independent pharmacies in Germany. Surprisingly, neither I nor any of my three brothers followed in the footsteps of my parents to take over the family business. In fact, not even one of us ended up in a health care profession, initially. I never saw the appeal, until I started working at COMP and WesternU. So how did I end up as professor at a medical school? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Read the answer to the next question.

 5. What piece of advice would you give to five year old you?

Knowing my five-year-old self, I am pretty sure I would have not been receptive to advice by my older self. Let’s go with a little bit older age. I would advise my 15-year-old self to make the most out of every interaction I have with people that help shape my path in life. I was shy and introverted as a kid and it seemed easiest to avoid interactions with influential figures in my life, such as coaches, teachers, and professors. Yet, as you grow older and reflect, you realize that your path in life is greatly influenced by these interactions.