About Me
I came back to the academic world of engineering because I saw the complex problems facing the world, and I knew that I needed to do some small part in trying to make progress toward a solution for them.
My life has taken me through a variety of experiences. I co-founded a startup designing photography equipment with sales of over $100,000. Pursued outdoor photography and conservation where my work was featured by brands such as the BBC, The North Face, REI, and the National Parks Conservation Association. I worked in the bike industry as a marketing and project manager. During all of these experiences I kept one foot in engineering. As an adjunct faculty member, I taught students about product development. While helping students through the product development process, I was able to work on projects in the engineering for global development (EGD) space. I began to wonder what principles made some EGD projects successful and others fail. This ultimately led me back to the academic world for a PhD in mechanical engineering where I perform research on how to help products have a positive impact and improved sustainability.
Outside of engineering, I still love to tinker and design. This goes from small things like perfecting my tool storage or making better pizza, to converting a cargo bike to an electric bike for taking my kids to school, all the way to my current work in progress, building out a camper van for my family. I also like to head to the beach with my wife and two kids, and when I can, hit the trails on my mountain bike.
