About Me

I claim dual citizenship to two states: TX and CA. I was born in Texas, raised in California, went back to Texas as a senior in high school, and now I'm back in California. I think its a good combination, although I've got to admit I'm glad to be back where the weather is a bit more reasonable.

I graduated from high school in TX and immediately went to work because I had no interest in college. After nearly thirteen years of my "business career", I finally got the nerve to continue my education. With the gracious help of my family I was able to attend Baylor University where I graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Geology. My focus of study was on the geomorphology and biodiversity of some coral reefs in Jamaica, where I also became interested in using remote sensing techniques as a tool for ecosystem assessment. This led into my studies at the University of California in Santa Cruz, where I received my MS in Marine Science in December 1999. My Masters thesis study uses hyperspectral remote sensing techniques to study a wetland area along California's central coast. I currently work for the US Geological Survey (Santa Cruz, CA) where I'm involved in a coral reef study in Hawai'i. Well, heck, you can read all about this stuff on my resume and the research section of my website.

I enjoy SCUBA diving, and have traveled to many fascinating places for both research and on vacations (many with my friends from Scubaland Adventures in Austin, TX). I am an avid geocacher, an activity similar to a high-tech scavenger hunt using GPS. I also like taking walks on the beach, day trips, creating web pages and computer graphics, longer-than-day trips, boating, reading, wine tasting, listening to good music, bowling, watching old classic movies, seeing exciting new places and learning about different customs and food.

So much for a brief introduction! Now get going and cruise around my Little Corner of Paradise (cyber-speaking that is). I hope you enjoy your stay.