I'm a PhD student studying Aerospace Engineering. I've worked for NASA, SpaceX, and Firefly Space Systems in Texas. My main dream is to become an astronaut, and in my free time I play viola, harmonica, Irish tin whistle, xylophone, design virtual reality training scenarios to help instruct astronaut crew members, and love going hiking/playing with dogs. I am an Eagle Scout and like sharing stories with people, especially if related to adventures I've had overseas, or just insane thoughts I've had about the future and topics related to science, math, art, and technology.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to meet people from different universities and learn about their interests. I'd also like to host people who visit Texas. I've been in school at Texas A and M University at a student for a while now, and want to branch out more into the rest of the US, the international schools/companies, and eventually meet people on the Moon (once I get that set up with NASA in the 2040s). I often travel to different space and technology conferences.

Interests

• dogs
• cooking
• running
• jazz
• guitar
• camping
• surfing
• scuba diving
• skiing
• snowboarding
• rock climbing
• swimming
• astronomy
• engineering
• science
• manga
• gaming
• biking
• edm
• japan
• programming
• space
• virtual reality
• weightlifting
• space exploration
• japanese language
• viola
• neuropsychology
• good books

Music, Movies, and Books

The Martian Chronicles, Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, John Carter, Shingeki no Kyojin, Space Brothers, Shiloh, Ready Player One, Cosmos, Subliminal, Blue Ocean Strategy, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Kimi No Na Wa, Guardians of the Galaxy, Casablanca, Elon Musk, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, House of Cards, The Good Place, Boku no Hero Academia.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've scuba dived in Thailand around James Bond Island (from the Man With the Golden Gun), and found a rock that looked like a horse.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach people how to play guitar, beatbox, create VR simulations using C++/python, among many other things.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Enthusiasm related to space exploration. I have many stories from working at NASA and SpaceX. I'll hope to go to the Moon and be part of the first group of people on Mars, and my name is Neil, so it fits! Talks about science fiction and the future, as well as physics and neuroscience.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Thailand, United States