I became interested in science early, in junior high school science classes. I became interested in the study of light and its interference properties in a high school class which covered holography.

From 1979 through 1983, I studied Physics at Wichita State University and Kansas State University, where I worked setting up undergraduate physics laboratories and repairing laboratory equipment. I divided my summers between research at the Physics Department at Kansas State and working as a camp counselor in Colorado.

In 1983, I began working on a master's degree in physics at the University of Rochester, New York, where I participated in the cooperative education program. Through this program, I worked as an Engineer-in-Training at United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut, and then joined the University of Rochester's Ultrafast Group at the Laboratory of Laser Energetics. There, under the direction of Gérard Mourou and Steven Williamson, I became proficient in ultrafast methods and techniques. I contributed to the development of optical modulators with greater-than-1000-GHz bandwidth and was among the first to use external electro-optic sampling probes to measure the internal workings of fast electronic circuits. I invented the total internal reflection probe, which eliminated the need for dielectric coating on e-o sampling probes.

The Ultrafast group moved to the University of Michigan in 1988 and here I became leader of the Ultrafast Transducer Group. My projects have included the development of ultrafast probes with ultrafine spatial resolution and the development of compact, diode-pumped lasers for "real-world" ultrafast applications.

At present, I am the director of the Ultrafast Photon Source at the Universitiy of Michigan. This kilohertz laser provides pulses as short as 20 fs with milijoule pulse energies. Using adaptive optics and high-numerical-aperture focusing, this laser produces relativistically strong intensity used to explore laser-matter interactions.

Throughout my career, I have maintained an interest in sharing the excitement of research in optics. I have been active in setting up demonstrations and experiments for visitors and summer students and have worked with the Ann Arbor Public Schools providing experience-based science learning available at all levels of primary and secondary education.

I also have maintained an interest in sharing my Christian faith with international visitors. Since 1990, I have worked with International Fellowship, an organization which offers services such as English Language tutoring, excursions, and introductory classes in Christian faith.

In the course of my research, I have co-authored three patents and many papers. I have also presented my work at numerous meetings on laser, electronic, and ultrafast science.