The middle child in a family of five, I grew up near the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I went to college in San Diego, California, and have since lived in many places, both in the United States and abroad, including service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal and Thailand. Most recently, while pursuing a Ph.D. in South Asian religion and culture, I spent a year living in Rajasthan, India. I currently reside in Minneapolis where I enjoy spending time with family and friends, getting outdoors to roam about, and travelling whenever I get a chance.