CURRENT MISSION

To combine my love of science and social activism to improve the world.

ABOUT ME

I love an adventure and meeting new people.

I just moved back to my hometown of Austin after living in New York City for several years. It's good to be back, but damn, sometimes I miss the Big Apple.

Before moving back to Austin, I was a postdoc at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. I conducted research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in consumer goods and their effects on children. I also did a little climate change work. I also worked at the Blacksmith Institute (http://www.blacksmithinstitute.org), a nonprofit that identifies toxic waste sites in the developing world (artisanal mining, chem manufacturing, etc), coordinates with local governments and stakeholders, and then cleans up the site.

I like talking about politics, basketball, soccer, literature, music, philosophy, art, biology, just about anything really. I like playing soccer, climbing, and many other things. I love learning new things and hearing people's experiences.

PHILOSOPHY

My philosophy changes all the time, as I learn more about people and the world. Sometimes it changes dramatically. The most stable one I've had is its best to keep an open mind and explore everything you possibly can.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

To meet super interesting travel lovers! Important: I think couchsurfing is a way to trade stories, learn about the world, and make new friends. I don't think it's primary purpose is free lodging. PLEASE DON'T request to stay with me if you'll be too busy for any socializing.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted and stayed with many CSers over the years, and I can honestly say I've never had an uncomfortable experience. I think if you take people's reviews seriously, try to connect with someone with a compatible personality, and are smart about it, you can have amazing experiences as a host or guest.

Interests

I love anything related to bicycles (riding, building, collecting).

Other than that, I love climbing, music, art, politics, playing poker, soccer, science, learning about the world, listening to people's stories. Tell me all about your theories, because I love ideas.

• arts
• literature
• architecture
• environment
• politics
• traveling
• poker
• music
• cycling
• basketball
• rock climbing
• soccer
• biology
• ecology
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything by Edward Abbey. Really loved his "Monkey Wrench Gang." I love Don Delilo books! "White Noise" was life changing. I'm also really into Haruki Murakami. I devour music. I listen to all genres from folk to gospel to indie to hiphop to electronic to really experimental stuff.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I worked at Arcosanti, Arizona (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcosanti). It's an experimental city in the desert that tries to combine architecture with ecology. It was very strange and fun. The chief architect of Arcosanti was a rebellious student of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Teach, Learn, Share

Things I feel qualified to share with people: Information and tools for bike maintenance, info cool bike routes in New York, and info about the environment. I'd love to learn anything you have to offer

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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