Profile

About: I was born in Boston to Pakistani parents and steadily moved south until my family settled in Houston. My accent and jargon reflect my Pakistani, Northeastern, and Texan experiences: I occasionally sound like a Karachiite, come up with great 'idears,' and constantly wonder how 'y'all' are doing.

I am currently a Plan II, mathematics, and government senior, hoping to fight global warming or obtain a PhD in international relations. I have spent the last four years coxing for the university's rowing team, trying to save the world, appreciating the Don Juan breakfast taco, and developing an odd fondness for folk music. I obsess over world affairs and the giant squid, love Amsterdam and PB&J sandwiches, cherish good friends and the outdoors, hate hate hate spiders, can't dance, and promise to defeat you in any N64 game.

Why I Ride

Much to my father's chagrin, I will not go to med school. This, however, shouldn't prevent me from contributing to the fight against cancer. I am lucky in that I have not lost immediate family members or friends to the disease, but statistics argue that I might not be this lucky in the future. Not all of us can be doctors or nurses, but all of us can still find ways to fight the good fight. Because it gives hope to cancer patients, raises money for cancer research, and educates citizens about the dangers of cancer, the Texas 4000 lets us participate in the struggle. Completing the ride is a way for me to fight cancer now with the hope that a loved one will not have to fight it in the future.