Describe an experience that helped form you as an educator.
It was in my first year of residency in clinical pharmacology. We had a symposium on World AIDS Day and I planned to give a presentation on the topic of HIV pathogenesis and treatment. I was about to go next when the person before me—and internal medicine resident—started talking about the same exact topic. I was so taken aback and I had to quickly modify my presentation. My new focus became drugs targeted on the HIV replication cycle. To my big surprise, I was awarded second prize. After that incident, I was invited to present at many of the events at our college. Eventually, I realized that I can put across my ideas and thoughts effectively.
How did you become convinced that you should come to AUC, or what attracted you to AUC?
I’ve worked in the Caribbean in the past (St. Lucia and Saba) and I can tell you that there is no comparison to AUC and Sint Maarten!
I started working for AUC in 2007 but left in 2013 to move to India with my wife, who was pursuing a master’s degree in dentistry. I came back to AUC as a visiting faculty member in August of 2017 and fell in love with the island all over again. I told myself if the opportunity to teach fulltime came around again, I would move back in a heartbeat. Fortunately, everything worked out and I am once again back at AUC!
What is your favorite thing about teaching at AUC?
I have been really impressed by the quality of the students of here. They make me realize how much there is to learn—even after so many years of teaching the same subject!
What are some of your favorite things about Sint Maarten?
I am, by my own account, a foodie and Sint Maarten has a lot of good restaurants. I also love to stroll on the beach and watch the big airplanes landing and taking off from Maho beach.
What is an underappreciated aspect of AUC?
Everything is so vibrant here.
How would you like for students to describe you years from now?
I hope that students remember me as an effective and passionate teacher.
What makes you look forward to the start of a new semester?
It’s always interesting to have a new group of students each semester and I look forward to learning from them as I become their teacher.
What’s something about you that not many people know about you or that your students would be surprised to learn?
Both my parents were college teachers. Even my grandfather was a university professor. Teaching certainly runs in our veins.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love listening to music—everything from Indian to classical to rap. I’m also a big fan of tennis and cricket.
What would you be doing if you hadn't gone into medical education?
I would be running a restaurant business. Like I said, I’m a foodie!