Last updated: April 1, 2025

Hi there, I'm Mike! In 2024 I completed a combined MD/PhD (Neuroscience) program in Buffalo, New York, USA. I'm currently a clinical-research postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Ophthalmology, where I see patients in the clinic and study a disease called Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) in the lab. This summer I'll be starting a four year ophthalmology residency program in Buffalo.

Professionally, I aspire to be a physician, scientist, and mentor / educator of people enthusiastic about science and academic medicine. I'm also very interested in scientific communication to audiences without a formal science background and in increasing diversity in science and medicine.

Some of my main interests outside of science and medicine include swing dancing, rock climbing, running, hiking, gardening, reading, traveling, and live music.

If you'd like to stay with me in Buffalo please submit a request through my wife, Ondra (https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/o_c_2). Please mention our cat, chickens, parrot, and hermit crabs in your request. If you are allergic to or otherwise adverse to any of our critters, I would unfortunately advise against staying with us.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I originally joined CS as a method for low-cost travel. My wife had many CS experiences prior to us meeting, and she used that as an effective ploy to get me to try it out. Little did I know that CS would be filled with so many wonderful people and a trove of enriching opportunities. CS is now my preferred method of travel, as it enables me to meet new and interesting people, share each others' cultures, and hear hosts' insights about the places I visit. I also enjoy hosting, and everyone I've co-hosted with my wife, Ondra, has been a joy thus far. Please refer to her profile if you'd like to view our co-hosting reviews.

Interests

For fun I enjoy swing dancing, running, rock climbing, hiking, gardening, cooking, listening to and talking about music, showering my various pets with oodles of affection, traveling, sampling interesting alcoholic beverages of all sorts, using Oxford commas in lists, and reading.

• pets
• cats
• dogs
• chickens
• books
• music festivals
• dancing
• salsa dancing
• swing dancing
• cooking
• exercise
• running
• gardening
• reading
• music
• live music
• hiking
• rock climbing
• medicine
• science
• lindy hop
• parrots

Music, Movies, and Books

Arguably eclectic music tastes. Here's a list of honorable mentions in alphabetical order.

ALASKALASKA, Animal Collective, Avey Tare, Ayla Nereo, Baths, Battles, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Blink-182, Blockhead, Boards of Canada, Bobby McFerrin, Bomba Estereo, Bonobo, Boozoo Bajou, Buku Broux, Burial, Cage the Elephant, Captain Murphy, Caravan Palace, Caribou, Carina and the Six Strign Preacher, Chet Faker, Cosmo Sheldrake, Crime in Choir, Crumb, Crystal Castles, Daft Punk, Damien Rice, Damon Albarn, Dan Deacon, Darkside, Dave Harrington, Deltron 3030, DJ Shadow, Doja Cat, Dr. Dog, Easy Star All-Stars, El Buho, Emancipator, Eminem, The Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, The Floozies, Flying Lotus, Folkfaces, Four Tet, Galactic, Garfunkle and Oates, Giraffage, Glass Animals, GoGo Penguin, Gold Panda, Gordon Webster, Gorillaz, Grizzly Bear, Herbie Hancock, Honey Revenge, Jaga Jazzist, James Blake, Jay/Sharptet, John Craigie, Kendrick Lamar, King Crimson, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Korn, Kunzite, Les Claypool, Lettuce, Lil Dicky, L'Indecis, Lotus, Magic City Hippies, Mammal Hands, Massive Attack, Miles Davis, Modest Mouse, Mogwai, Mouse on the Keys, Neon Indian, Nicolas Jaar, Nightmares on Wax, Nine Inch Nails, Nosaj Thing, Panda Bear, Parov Stelar, Paul Simon, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Pine Fever, Pink Floyd, The Polish Ambassador, Portico Quartet, Portugal. The Man, Pussy Riot, Radical Face, Radiohead, Random Rab, Ratatat, Reel Big Fish, Richard Houghten, RJD2, Run the Jewells, Scott Bradley's Postmodern Jukebox, Shpongle, slowthai, Snarky Puppy, Sorne, Sylvan Esso, System of a Down, Tame Impala, Tash Sultana, Tauk, Thievery Corporation, Thundercat, Too Many Zoos, Tom Waits, Toro y Moi, Tortoise, Twiddle, Tycho, Tyler Westcott, Warpaint, Whiskey Blanket, xxyyxx.

For books, lately I've been reading mostly non-fiction about different aspects of environmental sciences. I also enjoy fiction, especially the occasional science fiction and fantasy. I'm on Goodreads - feel free to check out what I'm currently reading (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/58197275-mike-weaver).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2012 I was struck by lightning. I didn't receive any superpowers or interesting scars from the event, but it's a great story.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd love to hear stories about your travels and the various enriching experiences they've provided. I'm also very interested in hearing about your culture - your food, music, traditions, and the like.

I can offer potentially engaging discussions about science, medicine, music, dancing, food, and veggie / herb gardening. I'm more than happy to teach some of the basics if you're not familiar with swing dancing but are interested in learning.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A sofa-bed with blankets and pillows, one lazy cat, two friendly chickens, one excitable parrot, four nocturnal hermit crabs, and Wifi.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States