I'm originally from the city of Belgrade/Beograd, country of... well, what used to be (Socialist Federal Republic of) Yugoslavia, then briefly (Republic of) Yugoslavia, and currently is Serbia and Montenegro, Yes, nearly everyone is confused to some degree. I've lived in the US for over ten years now and have spent time on the east coast (Bennington College), west coast (Caltech) and midwest (MSU). I try to make my Eastern European heritage and American experiences interact synergistically, making the whole greater than the some of individual parts. My slavic accent is nearly all gone now which is a shame but, in the end, I still try and remain somewhat exotic and not just an import.
I showed signs of healthy, all-encompasing geekiness at a young age. I was a typical book worm, regular at the local library, and was always the happyest when I got books for my birthday. Early on I realized that math and natural sciences were not just easy for me but also a lot of fun. Biology was in that mix too, starting from age 5 when I declared that I no longer want to be a fireman but a botanist when I grow up. After college I made a living as a computer scientist and gained a useful bag of tricks which I still use. A splash of arts and culture with my science is a must, be it a good play or singing in a chorus. Sports in general are not my thing, but I love downhill skiing and pretty much any extreme sport (think bungee jumping or sky diving). Overall, to maintan focus in my work I need diversity in my life.
I still I want to be a scientist when I grow up. Currently, a postdoc followed by a position in academia is a likely progression, although I try to keep my mind and options open. My only real career requirement is that I continue enjoying my work at least as much as I do now.
