Why did you choose UChicago?
The visit weekend convinced me of two things: soft matter physicists just want to have fun (the resulting experiments are often visually stunning and also manage to offer deep insight into physical phenomena, so in my unbiased opinion the best of all worlds), and the department is extremely friendly, supportive, and welcoming. Both have continued to be true. 

What was the best surprise about UChicago or life in Chicago?
The Nagel lab has a pet bearded dragon: Jeff. She was “on sabbatical” with me during the pandemic, running around my apartment and surprise laying eggs. She loves blueberries.

If you could share any advice to your colleagues, what would it be?
Five/six/seven years is a really long time. Be prepared for some ups and downs, and use it as a time to see what parts of research you like and don’t like. Then find a way to do more of the parts you like!