I came to the Santa Fe Institute via
the University of New Mexico where I
completed my doctoral work in computer science under
Cristopher Moore. My
undergraduate days were spent at
Haverford College, in Pennsylvania, where I studied physics and
was an overly-active member of the student government.
Some of my fondest memories are from my time at Haverford, where there was never
a shortage of intelligent or ambitious people to learn from. As a result, I'm a strong
supporter of the small liberal arts college experience, and particularly so for
their role in science education.
Interspersed throughout my time in academia, I've spent time working in
the pharmceutical, financial and advertising industries. Much of this work
has focused on developing statistical models that make accurate predictions
in real-world systems.
These experiences continue to influence me, as I am very interested in
connecting theoretical results with real-world systems and applications. For
instance, I particularly enjoy combining data analysis with theoretical
modeling in complex systems, and often gravitate toward questions that could
have a real impact on the social or technological systems around us. These
interests have kept me connected with the business world, where I sometimes
consult on questions related to my research.
On a more personal note, I am an avid traveler, and have enjoyed visiting all
of the lower 48 states, as well as about 26 foreign countries on 4 continents.
I have a long list of places I'd still like to see (or return to). Traveling
is my second favorite activity.