I was extremely shy in elementary school and high school. I read a lot. I was heavily involved in the academic team and in the Future Business Leaders of America. I was a big nerd.

 

 

One great thing about college was that I met other people who shared my passion for learning. I met a lot of people that helped shape my life, and I will never forget them. One such friend was Natalie Weaver. We became friends through our involvement in Oxford Fellowship, the ecumenical Christian group on campus. We started dating after I got the courage to tell her how I felt and eventually fell in love.

 

Natalie and I graduated college in 2002. We decided to attend graduate school at Duke. I am in the mathematics department studying algebraic topology. More information about this can be found under the “Research” part of my website. I’m amazed that I get paid to learn mathematics and to teach it! Natalie is pursuing a degree in Biology. She studies the expression of certain genes in a particular plant that are involved in the response from the plant when pathogens are introduced.

 

Natalie and I finally got married on July 23, 2005. There are a couple of photos of the Wyoming wedding and the Montana honeymoon on the “Pictures” part of my website. The wedding and honeymoon were absolutely perfect.

 

That brings me to the present day. I love teaching and doing mathematics, and I hope I can find a college or university that will pay me for doing these things.

I like to read a lot. My wife knows that I go a little crazy if I am ever without something to read. I carry books everywhere. I read during my lunch break, I read at home before I go to bed, and I read whenever I have a few minutes to spare. I like to read a variety of books, but my favorite are fantasy novels. Here are a few of the books that I’ve read that I’ve really enjoyed.

 

This book is extremely hard to put down. It’s fast-paced and builds to a thrilling climax. Sabriel must undertake a perilous journey into the world of death to save her father assisted by a being of pure energy trapped in the form of a cat named Mogget. She is hampered at every turn by undead creatures seeking to subvert her. Nix creates a fantasy universe that is very different from those of “traditional” fantasy authors. This book and its two sequels give you a tantalizing glimpse into that universe that leaves you wanting more.

Subtitled “An Oral History of the Zombie War,” this book tells the story of the zombie outbreak that changes the world landscape forever. The premise is that a “reporter” has interviewed many people after the Zombie War, each with his own story to tell. The narrative is global in scope, but at the same time puts you right in the thick of the action. This novel is well thought-out and makes an excellent read. It gets you to thinking: “What would I do if the world was being overrun by zombies?”

This novel is set during World War II. A German spy has obtained valuable information that could give the upper hand to Germany. But British spies are on her trail. Altman writes with a taut style, never wasting a single word. The novel is extremely suspenseful, not letting up until the very end. A very satisfying read.

This is a super-creepy novella for young adults. A girl gets caught on the other side of a doorway in alternate universe, one in which her parents are replaced by monsters with buttons instead of eyes. Neil Gaiman’s writing never ceases to captivate, and this short tale is no exception. Very spooky. His other books are equally superb.