Bachelor of Science, California Institute of Technology (1996); Master of Science in Geology, California Institute of Technology (1996); Doktortitel in Geology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2002); Semifinalist bei der Astronautenauswahl der NASA-Gruppen 20 und 21; dereit beschäftigt als Associate Professor an der University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Geological Sciences and Center for Space Exploration Technology Research; Hobbys: Fliegen, Reisen, Camping, laufen, lesen.