Since the day I was born, I have always resided in New Jersey. I spent my summers at lakes in Northern NJ and at the beaches of the now infamous Jersey Shore. Swimming as recreation was always an integral part of my upbringing and my parents made sure I was capable of handling any situation when it came to water. Their love of the ocean inspired me to take up the activities that have shaped me as a person today. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling and spearfishing, or just being in and around the open water has always satisfied a deep thirst in my being. Water has played an integral part in my professional path as well. In 1989, during my sophomore year at Rutgers University, I switched my major to meteorology in order to further my passion of surfing. By the time I graduated, I had a job in the Environmental field performing field studies and modeling the interactions of weather and pollution. In 2007, I took a position with MTA New York City Transit that studies and responds Chemical, Biological and Radiological threats to the subway system.