Bachelor of Science in Geology/Mathematics, University of Illinois, 1985; Master of Science in Geophysics, University of Memphis,1988; Doktortitel in Geosciences, Oregon State University, 1997; Semifinalist bei der Astronautenauswahl der NASA-Gruppe 17; derzeit Assistant Professor am Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Oregon State University / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.