My roots in Colorado run back five generations and into the 19th century. I was raised on a farm/ranch in far eastern Colorado where I developed a keen interest in the natural world. I decided that the field of genetics has the best approach to understanding life, so I studied biology at CU-Boulder. I continued my studies in graduate school at the University of Oregon, where I was involved in some of the first studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the then-mysterious subject of epigenetics. I also married and our family grew by three as we moved from Oregon to Fresno, California and then to Gunnison. During this time, I discovered the joy of teaching others about the wonders of molecular biology, which led my wife and me to seek out a quality teaching university where we could work. Raising our kids in our native Colorado and near family while living in the the beautiful Gunnison country have been amazing experiences.

Education

Ph.D., University of Oregon, Biology, 2001

Research areas