I consider myself fortunate that my parents were able to immigrate to the U.S. from Russia when I was just under two years old. I grew up in Queens, NY, and moved to northeast Jersey in the ninth grade. I did my undergraduate work at The University of Michigan (so I’m used to yelling “Go Blue!”), and have been attending Arizona State University for graduate school (clinical psychology). I’ve always been fascinated by mind-body relations, as well as with how people deal with and grow from the inevitable adversity and uncertainty of life. In my free time, I love listening to and playing music, backpacking and enjoying the wilderness, skiing, and playing basketball, football, and tennis. I’m also passionate about issues related to social justice and ecological sustainability. I can’t wait to spot my first moose and hopefully a black bear (from a safe distance!) in Maine.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Fifth grade talent show, in front of most of the school, two friends and I were singing (and dancing, if you could call it that) to The B-52’s “Roam.” Believe it or not, that’s not the embarrassing part. I was supposed to sing the last verse, which comes after a chorus and instrumental passage. Well, I was nervous and thought the instrumental part was shorter than it was. I started singing way too early, noticed my mistake and considerable laughter from the audience, and then had to wait another twenty seconds or so, which seemed to last forever, before awkwardly trying to sing the last verse again. Needless to say, we didn’t win the talent show that year.

What is your favorite comfort food?

I’m a big fan of just about anything cooked on a grill or in a crock pot.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Alaska, Yellowstone, Peru, New Zealand, Tibet/Nepal, Andalusia (Spain), Borneo/Sumatra (I would love to see a wild orangutan). Sorry, was I supposed to pick just one place?