About me

Here is my Academic CV.

My interests in Earth science started with dinosaurs, and a specific Nova episode about the theory—still new at the time—that their extinction coincided with an asteroid impact (I think 1981’s “The Asteroid and the Dinosaur”). In junior high I lived in Lubbock, TX, and put together a fossil collection (mostly from the Fluvanna road cut—I’ve since brought my kids fossil hunting there). My family also did a lot of camping and road trips to national parks, which greatly influenced my love of the natural world outdoors. By the time I got to college I knew I wanted to be a scientist. While I considered other disciplines—molecular biology, archaeology—and would have been happy with those paths too, I recognized that geology was a natural extension of my interests. I got my BS degree in Earth sciences, worked for four years doing rock mechanics at a great small company in Vermont, completed a PhD at MIT, did a postdoc at the USGS in Menlo Park, and now here I am at UT! (My CV has a few more details).

An implicit but fundamental piece of my biography is that I was privileged to grow up in a family in which STEM disciplines and academia were considered normal–both of my parents earned graduate degrees in mathematics. From an early age I viewed being a scientist as a feasible and achievable path in life. I realize that many students do not start their journey with these advantages. I hope that in my role as an educator I can help students find their place in science, or wherever their interests take them.

My family includes my wife Cris, two kids (Max==14, Susan==12), and four cats (Banana White, 18000, Lendo Catrissian, Shady). Balancing the demands and opportunities of our professional and family lives isn’t trivial (think Sisyphus), but is rewarding. My other interests include the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics (yes, I’m from Boston), baking fruit pies, running marathons a little less slowly, and meditation.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, June 2023

Just finished NYC Marathon, November 2023

Midtown Manhattan several years ago.

Me and Dr. Rebecca Hodge (Durham University) watching the Celtics beat the Wizards in overtime while at AGU 2018.

Me, somewhere near the Escalante River, Utah.