My mother tells me she knew I would be a biologist from the moment I could crawl around in the grass and pick apart dandelions. It’s true that I always had an affinity for nature, but I myself was pulled in many directions — biology, languages, mathematics, music — and it took me a while to settle into a vision of myself as scientist. But biology became my focus and passion, especially wandering in the woods among the plants that have become long-time friends, or exploring the rainforest or desert and the fascinating ecological interactions found there. Most of all, I love sharing these wonders, and the questions they raise, with my students and helping them become explorers of the natural world—or to nurture the inherent explorer-self we are all born to be.