"I find inspiration in the idea that engineers can play a role in the ongoing revolution in biology. The progress made in DNA sequencing over the past 20 years is astounding the first human genome took 13 years and cost roughly $2.7 billion to complete in 2003, while today it can be sequenced for as low as $100. I am interested in the potential of synthesized genes to become more cost-effective, and I would love to be a part of this revolution to make it happen."