Why I do what I do:

The simple answer is that I always loved Biology and especially Ecology, Epidemiology, and Immunology.  But I also love Mathematics, and when making the decision about what field to work in I found I did not want to give up the challenge and elegance that Math offers or the beauty and astounding intricacies of Biology.  An undergraduate professor showed me that I could study both, and I am forever grateful.

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I sometimes give bonus exam questions that serve to help me learn more about my students rather than to quiz them on material.  A few students have asked that I answer the questions as well.  So here goes:

What is one of your favorite quotes?


What is one of your favorite books?  What is one of your favorite authors?

Here are a few: 
         A. S. Byatt, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jane Austen, J. R. R. Tolkien,
         Ayn Rand, Ian McEwan, C. S. Lewis, Wicked by Gregory Maguire,
         The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Power and the Glory
         by Graham Greene, Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger    

What is one of your favorite song lyrics, and what song is it from?

          "Though we walk this humble path, alone
           How fragile is the heart.
           Give these clay feet wings to fly
           To touch the face of the stars.
           Breathe life into this feeble heart;
           Lift this mortal veil of fear;
           Take these crumbled hopes,
           Etched in tears;
           We'll rise about these earthly cares.
           Cast your eyes on the ocean;
           Cast your soul to the sea.
           When the dark night seems endless,
           Please remember me."
                 - Loreena McKennitt, Dante's Prayer

And another:
          "I sing songs about Texas, I sing them often
           As if she was some old lover I used to know.
           And I wish I could follow them back to
           The homeland every time I hear one on my radio...
           Sing me one more song about old San Anton'.
           Seems like a dream now, it was so long ago,
           And Jerry Jeff Walker can be just like a coat from the cold.
           I'm goin' home."
                 - Pat Green, Songs About Texas

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Why Utah?  I came for the Math Biology, but there are other perks too:

      Mountains that are ten minutes away
      Hiking, snowshoeing, skiing,...
      Incredible scenery of the Wasatch Mountains, Uintahs, Arches, Bryce, etc.
      Sam Weller's
      Playing guitar (a great place to learn)
      And others, of course....

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