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Knoxville is a family friendly city, a magnet for high-tech industries of all sizes, a destination for successful entrepreneurs and startup businesses, and has a thriving research, development, and innovation culture.

The incredible collection of world-class scientists, engineers, and technologists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in revolutionary areas of innovation that will drive U.S. economic success and change the world. These innovation areas include artificial intelligence, computing, nuclear energy, materials science, manufacturing science, and quantum science and technology.

Leverage our existing talent and resources to create a thriving ecosystem for new business attraction, existing business growth, startup companies, successful entrepreneurs, and synergies between all of them to drive Knoxville's economic success and improved standard of living for everyone in Knoxville and East Tennessee.

Summer days on the lake with my family and friends.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I was advised by one of my many great mentors, Dr. Hamed Sari-Sarraf, to go back to the University of Tennessee to pursue my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. I was reluctant and unsure I was capable. His encouragement gave me the push I needed to go back to school and having a Ph.D. opened up many doors during my career at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and during my entrepreneurial adventure in medical imaging. I am grateful for his advice and his confidence that prompted me to go back and complete my Ph.D.

Don't limit yourself early on and miss out on finding and pursuing your passions. Take some time and some risks early on in your college experience and in your career to find out what truly inspires you to do your best work, provide for your family and make a real difference in the world.