As an undergraduate student in the biological sciences, Tyler initially pursued the stereotypical track of one day becoming a doctor. However, he was uncertain what type of doctor he wanted to become. He had always been interested in nutrition and its implications in health and disease. His passion encompassed educating the public on the importance of food as medicine and inspiring people to embrace healthier lifestyles. It was apparent to him that he wanted to take on a more integrative and preventative approach to health care.

After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in June of 2015, Tyler found himself with an overwhelming number of avenues to explore. He had worked incredibly hard during his undergraduate career, but his path still seemed uncertain. While training for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials the following summer, Tyler dabbled with the idea of pursuing a career in research.

Tyler worked part-time at the Neuroscience Research Institute at UCSB under the guidance of Dr. Pete Coffey, an internationally recognized retinal biologist, who extended to him an invitation to join his laboratory for the study of age-related macular degeneration. Tyler split his time working downtown as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, where he assisted with the conduction of clinical research trials that were primarily focused on the development and feasibility of an Artificial Pancreas System for the treatment of Type 1 diabetics. It was this clinical exposure that ultimately catalyzed Tyler’s decision to pursue a career in clinical care.