My marching band days. Credit: Hawkeye Marching Band

I grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River in the small town of LeClaire, Iowa, home of the American Pickers on the History Channel and the birthplace of Buffalo Bill Cody. I attended Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Prior to coming to Penn State, I attended the University of Iowa, where, after a short stint in the biology department, I received bachelor’s degrees in both physics and astronomy. Go Hawks! At Iowa, I was also a member of the Hawkeye Marching Band for four years.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, golfing, and playing the piano.