Dear Dr. Kalia, I am so sorry for your loss, although it’s a loss for
all of us.

I vividly remember the evening I first met Ashish in the computer lab
of CCLMS at Nicholson Hall. I was working on a program for searching
n-member rings when Ashish introduced himself. As he quietly read a
book nearby, I couldn’t help but notice his youthful appearance,
combined with a sense of maturity and confidence that seemed beyond
his years.

From that moment on, Ashish and I grew closer as we worked together
under Dr. Nakano. Our friendship extended beyond the lab as we trained
for running and supported each other in our personal and professional
lives. Ashish had a way of lifting my spirits before my interview
trips, offering me candid yet invaluable advice on my presentations.

When I began teaching at Hood College, Ashish generously volunteered
his time to help me brainstorm grant ideas. This was in the early
2000s, before Zoom existed, and we would hold up hand-drawn
illustrations to a low-resolution camera in an effort to communicate
our thoughts. This memory snapshot holds a special place in my heart
as a testament to our friendship.

Through online updates, I had the pleasure of watching Ashish flourish
in both research and life. It was clear to me that he was destined for
great things. We almost had the chance to reunite a few years ago when
Ashish was scheduled to give a talk at NIH, but unfortunately, a
last-minute flight delay led to the event’s cancellation. We planned
to meet up when his talk was rescheduled, but then the COVID pandemic
hit.

Ashish remained a youthful, caring friend throughout the years, always
exuding positivity and energy. He is dearly missed, and his memory
will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Sincerely,

Xinlian