I was born January 12, 1989 at noon into a family of two brothers and later a little sister.  I am 50% Irish, 25% Italian, and 25% Pennsylvania Dutch.  At four years old, I attended Saint Andrew's Preschool in Warminster, PA.  I later entered Nativity of Our Lord Parish and School for grades K-8.  Once I graduated from Nativity, I went across the street to Archbishop Wood High School for attendance in grades 9-12.  I participated in the B.S.A. on the Cub Scout and Boy Scout Level from 1996- 2003.  I was a member of Pack 238 and later Pack 8 both chartered out of Warminster, PA.  I later "crossed over" to the Boy Scouts of America and joined Troop 139 chartered out of United Church of Christ in Warminster, PA until my Junior year in High School.  I earned the rank of Eagle Scout with a silver, gold, and bronze palm in addition to over 60 merit badges.  I was voted into the Order of the Arrow (National Honor Society of Scouting) and earned the rank of Brotherhood after Ordeal.  During my High School tenure, I joined the local Hartsville Volunteer Fire Company (HVFC), where I rose through the ranks from Cadet to Senior Firefighter.  After seeing the need for more EMS personnel by the community, I joined the Warrington Community Ambulance Corps (WCAC) in Warrington, PA.  I am still a member of both organizations to date.  Toward the end of my term at Archbishop Wood, after an unsuccessful bid for class President (lost by five votes), I was featured in a Channel 6 News Report because I had perfect attendance for fourteen years (check out my favorite links page for the full story)!  Upon graduation, I enrolled at Pennsylvania State University, to earn a Chemical Engineering degree.  After Christmas break during my freshman year, I joined a Bioengineering research team in the Hallowell Building on-campus for nueroprosthesis research under Dr. Ryan S. Clement.  After achieving the Dean's List in a successful first year at Penn State, I discovered that it was not the most fitting University for me.  I filed a transfer application to the University of Notre Dame and was accepted on May 31, 2008 with a partial scholarship.  Currently, I am still involved with the HVFC and WCAC.  I am looking forward to future research opportunities at Notre Dame and a successful future.