The critical thinking and problem solving I learned at MIT — combined with real-life experiences — has inspired me to think of my education as a gift I should put to use. Whereas fermentation engineers worry more about physical variables like oxygen transfer and think of organisms as black boxes, MIT gave me an empathy for microbes. It’s an approach that has been key to my success. When I walk through campus, I still get goosebumps from all the memories. It is such an amazing place.