Personal
MY BACKGROUND
I am second-generation Puerto Rican on my father's side of the family, and a huge mix of European (Irish, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian) on my mother's side. I am also a total Jersey boy: I was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in Hudson County, one of the most diverse counties in the US.
INTERESTS & HOBBIES
Outside of my academic work, I am a loving husband and father, and "cat dad." I also have a passion for puns, as my friends and colleagues would enthusiastically agree. I have a wide (and somewhat random...) array of interests, including...
Music: I double-majored in music and psychology in college, and have a background in guitar and choral singing. I listen to all types of music, but am a metal-head at heart.
Cooking and Mixology: My wife and I cook a diverse array of dishes (my favorite is probably Sichuan food - the spicier, the better). I was also a licensed bartender and know my way around a Boston shaker.
War History: I find American war history in particular to be fascinating, and have taken several classes on the topic. I am also a fan of Tom Clancy's works.
Japanese Culture: I studied Japanese for three years in high school, have a blue belt in judo, and occasionally watch anime in my downtime.
Dystopian Novels: I have read many of the classics, including George Orwell's 1984 and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. I am a big fan of Aldous Huxley's work, and consider Brave New World to be my all-time favorite read.
THE CAT CORNER!
