Damyanti and Girdhari Dassani, aka Mom and Dad, you have always encouraged me to reach for the stars. Malaika McKee-Culpepper, you believed in this book decades before it was born, and planted the seed on those late-night walks through Harvard Square. Thank you.

Hemali

Gratitude: My parents, Lalitha and Kuppuswamy, and siblings for envisioning a future beyond our circumstances. Dilip, Madan, and Vidya for helping me realize that future. And my wife, Jyotsna, and children, Amrutha and Aaditya, for their resolute belief in me and for loving me despite myself.

Nandu