My main professional goal is to make the world a (much!) better place for others by contributing to the accumulation of scientific knowledge, as well as through mentoring and teaching. 

My main personal goal is to live my own life to the fullest. :) 

I have a strong passion for high-altitude mountaineering.  I have been climbing a lot in the Americas, and I plan to climb the 8000ers in Karakoram and Himalayas.

I also enjoy rock & ice climbing, and philosophical novels.