Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois, Mai 1985; Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois, Oktober, 1986; Doktortitel in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois, Mai, 1992; Semifinalistin bei der Astronautenauswahl der NASA-Gruppe 15; derzeit Associate Professor an der University of Illinois.