Priya Shah

I met Austin the summer that I was first starting my job in a biochemistry lab. I was scared and nervous since I had never been in a lab seTng before then.  I walked into the lab and saw a new face mixing in so well with the rest of my coworkers – Austin.  Austin helped me more than anyone else that summer.  He would help me find protocols when I needed them, would supervise my experiments in case I messed them up, and he patiently explained everything I wanted to know.  He made my transition into the lab so smooth and I couldn’t have thanked him enough for that.  It pains me now to think about my interactions with him and understand that I never got the chance to say goodbye to him or even personally thank him for all of his help.  Austin had such a genuine soul and I am blessed to have been in his presence.  He was always so curious and eager to know the unknown and I think that’s why he enjoyed working in the lab so much.  I specially remember him presenting his project at our weekly lab meetings – I saw his face light up as he explained the progress he was making!  He was so excited and proud to present the data he had been working on.  I saw passion in him – passion for science and research and it made me see the research field in a whole different light.  I only knew him for a summer but he as a person has made such an impact on my life.  Austin was such a caring person, and the world has suffered such a great loss.  My condolences go out to his family and friends.  Be proud of the person he was and the legacy he created, his memories will go further than anyone has expected