This month, Natural Selections features Jia Min Loo, Graduate Fellow, Laboratory of Systems Cancer Biology (Tavazoie Lab).
Country of Origin: Singapore

1. How long have you been living in New York?

About eight months.

2. Where do you live?

Faculty House, right next to the university.

3. Which is your favorite neighborhood?

East Village. I love the selection of Japanese restaurants there. There’s very good okonomiyaki from a “hole in the wall” stall and a lovely Japanese bakery there. The bohemian feel of the area is a nice change from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

4. What do you think is the most overrated thing in the city? And underrated?

The New Year countdown at Times Square. It’s such a huge crowd there and if you don’t arrive early, you end up standing for hours without actually seeing anything. The subway is underrated I guess. It’s not perfect, but it can certainly get you around the city without much fuss.

5.What do you miss most when you are out of town?

The convenience of having good restaurants, and access to virtually any services within walking distance.

6. If you could change one thing about NYC, what would that be?

The traffic. The number of cars on the roads during rush hour, coupled with some aggressive drivers prone to honking, can really get on your nerves.

7. Describe a perfect weekend in NYC.

Sleeping in, having a lovely brunch at Le Pain Quotidien followed by a slow leisurely walk in Central Park. Later in the day I’ll prepare a sumptuous meal with my girlfriend and enjoy it over a movie (or two).

8. What is the most memorable experience you have had in the NYC?

Watching Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. It’s amazing how they can do so much within the confines of the stage.

9. If you could live anywhere else, where would that be?

Melbourne, Australia. The city has a very cosmopolitan feel. Within driving distance of the city, there’s all the beautiful sights nature has to offer as well.

10. Do you think of yourself as a New Yorker? Why?

No. I haven’t lived here long enough I guess. However, I’m loving it.