Dr. Annie Heckman is inspired by the life of the Buddha as it unfolds in the rich narrative world of monastic law. Born in Chicago, she grew up nearby in Park Ridge, Illinois. She is a visual artist who trained at the University of Illinois at Chicago (BFA 2002) and New York University (MFA 2006) and maintains a drawing practice from her home in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Her interest in Tibetan language and Buddhist texts brought her to the University of Toronto's Department for the Study of Religion, where she completed MA and PhD degrees. She has recently taught Sanskrit, Buddhism, and meditation as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Washington and Lee University. Dr. Heckman's current research focuses on how stories about nuns have evolved over time.