Bachelor of science in physics from Case Western Reserve University, 1977; master of science and Ph.D. in materials science from Cornell University in 1980 and 1982, respectively; materials engineer, NASA's JSC; unsuccessful application for NASA astronaut group 12; was assigned for STS-113 but grounded of medical reasons; hobbies: swimming, biking, camping, flying; since August 2003 NASA's International Space Station Program Scientist; he retired from NASA in July 2007 and became director of the Willard Hackerman Academy of Mathematics and Science in the Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics of the Towson University, near Baltimore, Maryland, Aug. 1, 2007.