Steven graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in 2015 with a major in biochemistry and minor in global health and environment. His undergraduate thesis concerned the role of FtsZ in cell division in Bacillus subtilis. He then joined the Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University School of Medicine. Steven joined the Philips lab in June 2017 and started his PhD work in the Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis program. The focus of his research is the mechanisms of immune evasion and drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After finishing his thesis, Steven plans to return to the clinic and pursue a career in microbiology research and infectious disease medicine.