I've spent much of my life asking questions, studying science, building businesses, and working on things that I hope will make a difference in the world.

I've been fortunate to wear a lot of hats over the years. Scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, CEO, author, and mother.

And now I have a new title. Cici!

I have to say, that's a pretty good one.

As much as I love my work, my family has always been the reason behind so much of what I do. I want my children to see what's possible when you believe in something, work hard, and refuse to give up. But I also want them to understand that life is about so much more than what we accomplish.

It's about the people we love, the relationships we build, and what we do with the time we're given.

And the older I get, the more I appreciate that.

Family Has a Way of Putting Everything Into Perspective

I can spend an entire day working through complicated scientific questions, making decisions, and managing a hundred different things.

And then one of my children calls, and suddenly everything else can wait.

That's motherhood.

It doesn't matter how old your children get. You never stop being their mother. You never stop wanting to protect them, encourage them, and make sure they're doing okay.

I've learned that being a mother doesn't mean having all the answers. Sometimes it means listening, sometimes it means giving advice, and sometimes it means letting your children figure things out for themselves.

That last one isn't always easy!

But watching them become their own people is one of the most rewarding parts of being a parent.

I'm proud of the work I've done throughout my career, but I'm even more proud of the family I've been blessed with.

And Now, I'm Cici

Becoming a grandmother has been such a wonderful new experience.

I love that I get to be Cici. It's another chapter of life that I'm excited to experience, and it has me thinking about how quickly time passes.

It really doesn't seem that long ago that my own children were little.

You spend so many years raising them, taking them to activities, helping them through challenges, and wondering whether you're doing everything right.

Then suddenly, they're growing up, making their own decisions, and building their own lives.

And now there's another generation to love.

I think that's one of the most beautiful things about family. It continues to grow and change, and somehow there's always room for more love.

I'm looking forward to all the memories we'll make together. And I'm sure I'll be learning a few new things along the way!

I've Never Believed Women Have to Choose Just One Role

I've always been passionate about my work.

I love science. I love creating things. I love challenging myself and exploring ideas that other people might think are impossible.

But I've never believed that being ambitious means you have to love your family any less.

And I've never believed that being a mother means you have to stop pursuing your dreams.

Can it be challenging to do both? Absolutely.

There are days when I feel like I'm being pulled in ten different directions. There are meetings, travel schedules, family responsibilities, and always something unexpected.

But that's life.

I don't think there's a perfect formula for balancing everything. You figure out what needs your attention, you make adjustments, and you keep going.

Some days go exactly as planned.

Most don't!

What matters to me is that my children know how much I love them and that they see the importance of working toward something you believe in.

I want them to have the confidence to create their own paths, whatever those may look like.

What Time Has Taught Me

One thing I've become more aware of over the years is how quickly life moves.

We're always planning for the next thing. The next meeting, the next trip, the next project, the next milestone.

And there's nothing wrong with having goals. I certainly have plenty of them!

But I also think we have to remember to enjoy where we are right now.

Our children don't stay little forever. Our parents get older. Life changes, sometimes in ways we don't expect.

The older I get, the more I value the simple things.

Being together. Having dinner. Laughing about something ridiculous. Picking up the phone just to check on someone.

Those moments may not seem extraordinary when they're happening, but they're often the ones we remember.

I've learned that making time for family isn't something we should keep putting off until our schedules slow down.

Because if you're anything like me, that schedule probably isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Family Is Part of Wellness, Too

When I talk about wellness, I often discuss science, nutrition, environmental exposures, and ways we can better support our bodies.

But wellness is also about how we live.

Our relationships, our emotional well-being, our sense of purpose, and the people we surround ourselves with are all important parts of our overall health.

I believe human resilience is about more than our physical ability to adapt. It's also about the support we give one another through life's different seasons.

Family has been an important part of that for me.

Through challenges, celebrations, unexpected changes, and everything in between, the people we love help remind us why we keep moving forward.

That's something I hope to pass along to my children and grandchildren.

Not just an appreciation for health and science, but an understanding of how important it is to care for one another.

There's Still So Much Ahead

I have no plans to stop creating, learning, or working toward the things I'm passionate about.

There are still so many ideas I want to explore and so much I hope to accomplish.

But I'm also excited about this season of life.

Watching my children continue to grow, spending time with my family, and getting to experience being Cici.

I've learned that you can be proud of what you've built while still recognizing that the most meaningful parts of life often have nothing to do with your career.

I want my children and grandchildren to know that they can pursue big dreams, ask questions, take chances, and make a difference.

But I also want them to remember to enjoy their lives along the way.

Because no matter what we accomplish, the people we share our lives with are what make it all worthwhile.

And for me, that's always been family.

With love,

Christina