I am infinitely fascinated by deadly diseases, such as the Spanish influenza. I frequently ruined the curve in Epidemiology class--much to my classmates' annoyance--while completing my Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Education at the University of North Carolina. I've turned my obsession into several magazine articles for adults and children, and applied the facts of Spanish flu into my young adult historical novel Breathe.

I am the American half of a Japanese-American family. Because I spend part of the summer in Japan with my family each year, much of my work--both fiction and nonfiction--is about Japan or has Japanese-inspired elements.

I am a life-long learner. Whether it is learning a new trick on the trapeze, figuring out how to do podcasting, trying out a new recipe while camping with my Girl Scout troop, or learning a new song for karaoke, I'm always stretching myself physically, mentally, and creatively.





I am a member of several professional organizations including: