-Did you grow up in the typical, as we say, Greek family?

Only my father’s side of my family is Greek, but the Greek values of importance of family and a strong work ethic were held by both sides of my family. Plus, my mother makes delicious pastitsio even though she’s not Greek!

-Where did your parents come from and what is your connection with your roots?

My Papou’s family is from Kamaria, in the Selino district in the southwest corner of Chania, Crete. My YiaYia’s family is from Agia Mama, in Laconia, near Monemvasia in the Peloponnese. These are two of the most beautiful places in the world, in my opinion! As an archaeologist, I spend a lot of time in Greece, and studying Greek culture. I have a very strong connection to both the ancient and modern worlds of Greece.

-Do you have any special memories from your childhood connected to your Greek heritage?

When I was 12, my YiaYia took me to Greece for the first time. I felt very special to have that time alone with her, and even though I have visited all the places on our trip again since then, I will never forget the first time climbing up to the temple of Apollo at Delphi with her or seeing Santorini arise out of the sea from a distance as we approached via ship.

-How did you choose your field of expertise?

I studied at College Year in Athens when I was a junior in college. The courses I took there with amazing professors such as Nicolas Yalouris, Nanno Marinatos, and Steve Diamant inspired me to want to dedicate my future learning to Greek archaeology.

-Have you been in any excavations in Greece?

I have excavated at Corinth with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, and on the island of Milos with the British School at Athens. I’ve also excavated in Cyprus, and Sicily.

-What are your main research targets this period?

I am currently working on a podcast on the illicit antiquities trade. I hope that by increasing public knowledge about this problem, we can work together to help stop looting and preserve the artifacts of Greece.

-How often do you visit Greece?

Usually at least once a year. This year I have been lucky enough to have visited twice.

-What does Greece mean for you?

Greece is a second home for me. Every time I’m there I love it more, and I always learn something new. The modern and ancient are intertwined in a special way in Greece, in general, and for me in particular. On my last trip to Athens, for instance, I ran into my former gym trainer, whose gym classes I used to attend when I lived in Pangrati while studying at the American School of Classical Studies. But he is also a member of the restoration crew on the Propylaia on the Acropolis, and he took me behind the scenes to see the painstaking and detailed work that his team is doing on the gateway’s marble columns, and the modern techniques that are being used to bring the ancient stone back to life.

-If you could address a question to all Greeks, what would you like to ask them?

I’d like to ask for their help in protecting Greece’s cultural heritage, so that together we can learn more about our common human history.