Originally from Chicago, I now reside in the east mountains of New Mexico. I enjoy spending time in nature and traveling, and will never miss an opportunity to go adventuring; especially if we're going somewhere with good fossil hunting.

My fascination with paleontology follows me back into childhood, when my brother and I would have endless arguments about the hunting strategies of Velociraptor, or the parental care of T. rex. Dinosaurs were a continual subject of conversation, and contention, between us. While he went off to explore the "real world" I continued to dream up new ways to discover things about the prehistoric one.

Outside of the world of academics, I also maintain a job in semi-conducting photolithography mask design for a national laboratory. I've found working in industry to be at times both massively frustrating and incredibly rewarding. However, the experience overall has been in many ways educating, and has helped me develop professionally. I frequently find myself utilizing knowledge of semiconductor physics and microscopy in my academic pursuits. I have grown substantially from working in diverse groups of engineers, physicists and chemists, and pride myself in being the kind of person who is not afraid to speak up, suggest change or ask potentially stupid questions, regardless of how many Ph.D.s are in the room.