Meet Fair Vassoler

Fair Vassoler, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Pathobiology

1. How do you start your day? 
   On weekdays, I wake up at 5:30 so I can go to my CrossFit class from 6-7. Then, I come home, get my kids on the bus, make my lunch and head out to work. On the weekends, I like to slow down with a book and a cup of coffee.
    
2. What is on your bucket list? 
   Kayaking in the Grand Canyon and visiting the redwood forest.
    
3. What three words best describe you? 
   Transparent, empathetic, light-hearted.
    
4. If you could time travel, what year(s) would you visit? 
   100 years from now, to see how much medicine, science, and society have changed.
    
5. What is your hidden talent? 
   I am an excellent baker, improvisor, and gardener.
    
6. What book, movie, podcast, show would you recommend? 
   I’d recommend the Botany of Desire by Michael Pollen for a fascinating non-fiction read, the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for anyone who loves science-y, spy, suspense/mysteries, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card for classic sci-fi, and Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult for a modern and thought-provoking story. I also like Schitt’s Creek.
    
7. What is your dream vacation? 
   Going to Brazil with my family.
    
8. What or who has had the greatest impact on you?
   My kids constantly reshape how I see the world and remind me what really matters.
    
9. What’s the best advice you ever received? 
   “These are the good ol’ days.” It’s a reminder to appreciate where I am right now instead of always looking backward or forward.
    
10. What is your least favorite word or phrase?
     “Junk food.” Food isn’t junk — it all has value, just some foods are best enjoyed more sparingly.
     
11. What is your favorite junk food?
    French fries with BBQ and hot sauce.
     
12. What is your theme song? 
    Save your Tears by the Weekend, or Good ol’ days by Macklemore.
     
13. Dog or cat or ?? 
    I love my dog so much, but I also love birds. I have chickens but have also enjoyed the companionship of love birds, cockatiels, parakeets, and a Senegal parrot.
     
14. Who would play you in a movie? 
    I have no idea, but in my dreams it would be Tina Fey. She’s smart, funny, and knows how to find humor in everything.
     
15. What is your favorite season of the year? 
    It is a toss-up between summer and fall. I love the long hot days of summertime and all of the outdoor time, but I also love the crispness in the air during the fall and the color palette.
     
16. What are your favorite colors? 
    Orange and green.
     
17. Early bird or night owl? 
    Definitely an early bird.
     
18. What is your biggest pet peeve? 
    People judging other people’s food. Especially if they are in the middle of a meal. We don’t all have to have the same tastes, but let’s not yuck other peoples’ yum.
     
19. What is your favorite type of surprise? 
    Bumping into an old friend.
     
20. What or who makes you smile? 
    Just about everything! I am a genuinely happy and optimistic person. But in particular, my daughters, my dog, new data, a good song…