Christi is one of our Software Developers and is a treasured addition to the team!
Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school?
I grew up in Walnut Creek, California, nestled in the hills playing soccer and acting in youth theater. For high school, I went to Las Lomas. Then for my bachelor’s degree, I graduated from UC San Diego.
What sparked your interest in Science?
I remember as a kid being really fascinated by robotics and how science and software could make our lives better. Specifically, I remember watching ‘The Associate’ with Whoopi Goldberg and Dianne Wiest in which Dianne Wiest transforms Whoopi Goldberg's brillant disparate ideas into organized actionable business intelligence through the power of databases. Man, that sparked something and I started playing around with old school database software. It was a kernel that later on in life I kept iterating on until I’m here today writing great software that draws out the brilliance of our own scientific clientele.
Did you have any specific role models? If so, who were they?
I haven't had a consistent role model, but I'm consistently fascinated by people who push past norms following their curiosity into really amazing finds. And my sister, my sister's awesome. She's actually the one who encouraged me towards engineering. She was able to point out how my interests and side projects could become a career.
What would you say to a young person considering a career in science or computers?
Follow your curiosity. Don't accept the predefined path. Just keep on going with what's interesting.
What is important to you personally? I.e.what things do you value most in life?
I value discovery; I appreciate people and spaces that inspire new ideas. I value presence; being in the moment with the ones I love is priceless. I value humanity’s creative unrelenting drive forward and the part I get to play in it. And cake, it's delightful.
What are some of the challenges you have faced either in your career or personally that you feel have helped you become the successful person you are?
Grit. Whether I was on the soccer field as a kid or making 90 calls a day in my first job. Learning to break down an audacious goal into its parts has helped me become the engineer I am today.
What do you enjoy about being part of the Studylog team?
Kindness. We have a very kind team that shows up everyday with our best because we are excited about the discoveries our clients are making.
What do you do for fun?
I love swimming in the Gulf after work. I enjoy devising easy ways to cook delicious and healthy food. But really at the end of the day it's about being with my loved ones - playing bocce, painting, playing pool. It’s not the activity but rather the company.
