You hold a PhD in cognitive psychology. How has that background informed/influenced your law study?

Learning the law has brought my psychology research to life. My primary research focused on false memories in older adults, and a secondary line of research focused on motor control and perception. Jumping into the law, I was immediately drawn to litigation. I see the courtroom as a place where dynamics of human behavior are on full display. Also, so much of what I did as a scientist—the research process, publishing, writing code, digging into neuroscience equipment and human movement trackers

How fun... and challenging... was it to be a high school debate coach?

I absolutely loved being a high school speech and debate coach! Growing up, I was a very shy kid; taking speech and debate really helped bring me out of my shell. It was rewarding to assist my fellow introverts. Also, proud to say the high school I coached at was the alma matter of Boyd legend, Dr. Brian Wall.
That said, like any kind of teaching, it had its fair share of challenges. In the hyper-competitive world of high school speech and debate, winning sometimes feels like the only thing that matters (if you haven’t

You worked in Amsterdam for a time, yes?

Yes! I did my Master’s degree there in urban geography. I was interested in affordable housing and racial segregation and how that affected feelings of belonging to a neighborhood. After I graduated, I worked for a non-profit in the social housing sector. I organized conferences and field visits where social housing associations, research institutes, and private business would gather to discuss topics like tenant engagement, collective and cooperative housing, financing models for affordable housing, energy efficient retrofitting of homes, or

How has drumming shaped your outlook on life?

While I was drumming for Utah's drum corps, one instructor would always say, "Don't make the same mistake twice." I try to apply that saying to everyday life. I know I'm going to make mistakes, but if I never make the same one twice, I'll probably be a pretty good person and lawyer in no time soon. In other words, drumming gave me a positive outlook on making mistakes. 

Is there a drummer you idolize?

Yes! Benny Greb, Travis Barker, and Neil Peart can lay some filthy beats (that's a good thing). 

Let's hear your top three experiences while a

Tell our readers the meaning of your name, Ziwei, and the significance it holds for you.

Ziwei has three meanings in my language: 1) a purple flower, 2) north star, 3) symbol of royalty. I only go with the first meaning because a plant is persistent and strenuous. 

You emigrated from China to the United States in 2008. What has been your experience in the past dozen or so years?

My experience is that the United States is still a land of opportunity with endless possibilities. The American people welcome immigrants who are willing to start a new life in a strange country. Everyone I have

Tell us about your work as a behavior technician prior to law school. 

As a behavior technician, my job is to directly implement behavior-analytic services. Applied behavior analysis is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior; I have used it to teach children how to complete difficult multi-step tasks, to overcome extreme behavioral problems like self-injurious physical aggression, and even to speak for the first time. The work can be intense, but it is extremely rewarding. Because behavior technicians typically work in the child’s natural environment, we spend lots of time

What do you miss the most about your native El Paso?

I miss a lot of things about El Paso —the food, culture, art, music venues, family, and friends. I could go on and on about things I miss. The places and activities in El Paso that I have in mind are far too many and far too special to be able to do them justice in a small paragraph. I do get homesick when I am in Las Vegas. I also miss the good Mexican food. I have yet to find a place in Las Vegas.  

And what made you decide to venture to Las Vegas for law school at Boyd?

I wanted to stay in the Southwest. I love the weather in this part

You grew up in South Central Los Angeles, attended college in Austin Texas, and ventured to Las Vegas for law school. Quite a journey for you, yes?

Yes, it has been a journey filled with blessings and lessons. At 17, I thought I made a mistake moving out-of-state to attend college. Fortunately, the move to Austin turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Higher education expanded my worldview and further shaped my values. After Austin, I made a strategic decision to move to Las Vegas. The proximity to home and the legal cannabis industry made it the perfect place to start my

Tell our readers about your eight years in the United States Navy.

I enlisted in the US Navy in 2001, and I served from 2002 to 2010 as a nuclear reactor operator. I was stationed on the submarine USS Miami, out of Groton, Connecticut. I did two deployments on the Miami, one six-month tour to the Persian Gulf, and a nine-month tour to the North Atlantic. I also spent two years as an instructor at a training facility in upstate NY. If any of my professors thinks teaching law students is tough, try teaching a 19-year-old how to operate a nuclear reactor!

What lessons learned in your military

What do you love about your work as the Communications Director for Save Red Rock?

My favorite part about working for Save Red Rock is being able to preserve a piece of our Valley that everyone enjoys. As a born and raised Nevadan, some of my best memories have been in the canyon. I hope it can be maintained for generations after me to come. 

And what do you see as the value added to your career by a law degree?  

In a previous life, I was a journalist for Vegas PBS and KVVU-FOX5. I decided to pursue law for similar reasons as to why I wanted to be a journalist. I've always been drawn