I grew up in Northern California, received a BS (Biochemistry) at Cal Davis, and an MS and PhD (Plant Pathology) from U. Kentucky. I lived and did some biochemical engineering research in Southern California for about a decade before moving to Las Cruces, NM with my family. I currently work as a staff scientist in the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department at New Mexico State University where I do natural products chemistry/analysis.

I've always enjoyed astronomy. I had a small telescope when I was young. While at Cal Davis, I occasionally observed through the 12.5" scope atop Hutchison Hall. After a hiatus from astronomy in the 90s (the soccer years), I decided to get serious about astronomy as a hobby. I purchased a Discovery 8" reflector, and enjoyed looking viewing the night skies until the scope was stolen from my yard. About a year later I bought a Celestron NexStar 11".

I joined the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces soon after purchasing my C11. It's a great club with around 70 members. I owe much of my enjoyment and success in astronomy and imaging to the wonderful people in the club. I served as Club President in 2005. I currently do their web page. The site took top honors as the best astronomy club web site in 2009!! I also serve as the Education Chair and Observatory Chair.

When I joined the club, a few of the members were doing webcam astrophotography, and I decided to give it a try. I picked up a ToUCam and really enjoyed the experience. A year or so later, I picked up a Canon 300D to do deep space imaging. I later had the camera modifed by Hutech to extend its range into the far red.

I've slowly added to my equipment over the years. I bought an Orion ED80 in 2005 through which I have done much of my imaging. I built a 16" truss tube reflector the same year with the help of my good friend, Nils. I recently purchased a Hyperstar 3 for the C11 which gives me the ability to image at f/2. It's a great system. Most recently, I replaced my fork/wedge mount with a Losmandy G11.

A few of my images have received some measure of acclaim. I've had two images published as the Astronomy Picture of the Day: My Lunar Analemma (7/15/2005); and an image of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin) (2/25/2009). My image of M31 was featured on the Celestron.com website for some time, and an image of M20 is featured in their 2009 catelog. I received an honorable mention at the Lodestar Astrophoto contest for a composite of the October 2004 lunar eclipse. A composite moon phase image was published in Night Sky (November/December 2006). A few of my images (M20, M51, M1) have won or placed second in the monthly Digital Astro (Yahoo Group) contests. A color-enhanced image of the 8-day moon won 1st place for solar system imaging at the 2007 Texas Star Party as did my Comet Lulin image in 2009. I also won the best Astrophoto award (the people's choice award) for my Messier Marathon collage at TSP in 2009.

Aside from astronomy, I enjoy hiking and camping (even a little backpacking though it gets harder every year). I play a wicked game of golf (wicked as in bad - as in not good). I'm a Distinguished Toastmaster, and have held a number of Club and District offices during my nearly 20 years in the organization. I play a little piano (mostly classical) and do a little teaching (beginning astrtonomy) at one of the local community colleges. Politically and socially, I'm pretty liberal and consider myself an advocate for social and environmental justice.

Lastly - I'm part of a wonderful family (wife, two daughters, two dogs, one mortgage). While my wife and kids may mildly complain about daddy's all-night astronomy exploits (and how much money I spend), they're mostly pretty supportive. I count myself as being very lucky to be a part of such a loving family.

    Peace