"Aviation is something I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. As a child, whenever I heard an airplane or helicopter overhead, I would immediately look toward the sky. I spent the rest of my time trying to learn everything I could about how flying worked. I earned my pilot certificate after starting graduate school at MIT. Flight training gave me a way to step away from the busyness of grad school while still doing something mentally challenging and deeply rewarding. From the outside, people often assume that physically flying the airplane is the hardest part. Strong winds can certainly make things demanding, but much of the complexity happens before the airplane ever leaves the ground. We evaluate the weather, confirm that the aircraft is properly maintained and inspected, calculate fuel requirements, and make sure we remain within weight and balance limits. Once airborne, we communicate with air traffic control, monitor changing conditions, and stay prepared for emergencies. During one flight to New London, CT, the airport suddenly closed. Air traffic control informed me and asked me to state my intentions because no one knew how long the closure would last. I had to evaluate my options, manage the uncertainty, and decide on the safest course of action. That experience captures one of the most valuable lessons flying has taught me: you cannot prepare for every situation, but you can prepare yourself to respond well when something unexpected happens. I try to bring that mindset into the rest of my life, especially my work in the lab. Before an experiment, I think about what could go wrong, how I might prevent it, and what alternatives I have if the original plan fails. Flying carries real risk, and I don’t do it for an adrenaline rush. It has taught me that being afraid of what might happen does not have to prevent you from pursuing something meaningful. The goal is not to eliminate every risk, that is impossible. The goal is to understand it, respect it, and manage it well enough that fear does not make the decision for you."