Bachelor of Arts in Physics von der Northwestern University, 1986; Master of Science in Geophysical Sciences von der University of Chicago, 1987; Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics von der University of Chicago, 1988; Doktortitel in Geophysical Sciences von der University of Chicago, 1989; Semifinalist bei der Astronautenauswahl der NASA-Gruppe 15; derzeit Research Physicist and Senior Lecturer, Center for Atmospheric Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.