- Department: Chemistry
- University: Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
- Location: Arroyo Grande, California
I was raised as a Christian and was enthusiastic about it in middle school and high school. I stopped going to church in college and by the time I got to graduate school I was filled with doubt. When I stopped to think about it, I wondered if any of it was true, and if not, if life had any real meaning: When we die, is it just like turning off a lamp? Is that the end? Are some things right, and some wrong, or are these just concepts we invented? Most of the time I didn't stop to think, though, since I was so busy, so actually I was pretty happy. It was during this time that I started going to church again and restarted studying the Bible. I eventually rediscovered my faith.
Favorite Quote
A dog is better than I am, for he has love and does not judge. Abba Xanthias
Friends describe me
Amicable, diplomatic, family man.
My hobbies
Hiking, learning languages, reading, gardening, and cooking
Fantasy dinner guests
My grandparents
Best advice I ever received
Don’t wait for God to give you a roadmap for your entire life; if you do His will each day you will end up on the right path.
My undergrad alma mater
University of Nevada Las Vegas
My worst subject in school
Heat transfer
In college I drove
1964 Corvair
If I weren't a professor, I would
Do computer programming or write
Favorite books
Man's Search for Meaning, Of Mice and Men, Lord of the RIngs
Favorite movies
Ikiru, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Children of Heaven
Favorite city
Pittsburgh
Favorite coffee
Latte
Nobody knows I
I am obsessed with cooking using sous vide.
My latest accomplishment
Learning to tie a Farrimond friction hitch.
Current Research
The surface chemistry of novel sugar-oxime ether surfactants.