My scientific journey started with interest in how plants sense their light environment, in particular via red light receptors. How red light remodels a vast portion of the transcriptome within 30min captured my imagination about the regulation of gene expression at the chromatin level. Inspired by this, I jumped ship and completed a postdoc on the biochemistry and biophysics of heterochromatin assembly by “reader” and “writer” proteins. When I am not grant-writing, I continue to enjoy bench science, leveraging either the awesome power of yeast genetics or chromatin biochemistry. Outside of science, I enjoy spending time with my 8 year old son, running, playing the piano and attending classical or jazz music performances in SF. I love our great Pacific Coast and wine country and enjoy visiting when I can.