I grew up in Albany, California. I graduated from Albany High School. I went to college at UC Santa Barbara, College of Creative Studies where I majored in math. I went to graduate school at University of Michigan where I received my Ph.D. in 2005.

From 2005-2007 I was an Assistant Professor at Southeastern Louisiana University. From 2007-2010 I was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. From 2010-2014 I was an Assistant Professor at Boise State University. Since 2014 I have been an Associate Professor.

My wife Diana Kruse and I have two children, James and Cordelia.

I enjoy listening to music, especially jazz. I have dabbled in martial arts (Hung Gar kung fu in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Shotokan karate in Hammond, Louisiana, affiliated with LKA; Shaolin kung fu in Boise, Idaho).