I was born and raised in Corry, Pa, a small town near Lake Erie, where I spent my youth participating in baseball, football, basketball, and wrestling. An avid sports fan, when I’m not being a husband and father, working on my house, or reading a good book, I enjoy cracking a cold one and watching the Phillies play baseball. After High School, I entered the Navy and was designated a Naval Intelligence Analyst. I then received orders to the Joint Intelligence Center (JIC) onboard the USS Nassau (LHA-4), completing two six-month overseas deployments, and visiting many foreign lands including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Israel, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Next came college with hope of pursuing a medical career. As an undergraduate, I performed biochemical research, worked as a teaching assistant, interned at a family practice, and gained employment with Dr. Brian Wigdahl at Penn State. I remained with Dr. Wigdahl’s group throughout my senior year, and upon graduation, moved with him to Drexel. While with Dr. Wigdahl, I have been studying the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1, and have presented my research at numerous local, national, and international symposiums. Working with Dr. Wigdahl, I finally saw the light and decided to pursue my Ph.D. After receiving my Ph.D., I plan to continue in academic medicine and establish myself as an independent investigator in the field of neurovirology.