I was born approximately nine months after Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Shortly after, I moved to a town in Indiana that was made famous by John Mellencamp’s song “I was Born in a Small Town.” Seymour, Indiana offered many opportunities for experimenting with bicycles and cars.

I was fortunate enough to have several outstanding high school teachers such as calculus teacher Richard Stickles, chemistry teacher Rick Shuley, design teacher Gary Christopher, and writing teacher Slim Callis. An inspirational moment for me was seeing the MIT 2.70 competition on TV when I was in high school. It may have been at this moment that I decided to become an engineer.

After graduating from MIT with a degree in mechanical engineering and an incomplete rowing career, I set out to pursue rowing at the international level while maintaining my interests in engineering through jobs ranging from Kevlar boat building to space-based sensing. I still enjoy rowing on the Schuylkill and riding my tandem bicycle with my wife, who works at Penn.

My current favorite book is “The Singularity is Near” by Ray Kurzweil. Favorite songs include several by the Rolling Stones, the Cult, and the Pixies. I also recently enjoyed the movie “An Inconvenient Truth.”

My research interests are focused primarily on nanoscale biomechanics, protein evolution, as well as human-powered vehicles and waste reduction strategies. New students: don’t be afraid to talk to faculty and sit in the front of the class. Also, get to know the city of your university.