What is your job title? My MSU Title is “Information Technologist/III” but my working title is “Research Software Engineer”I’ve had a handful of working titles over the years.
How long have you been at MSU? I have been a MSU staff member for 25 years, but my first job was during undergrad, and worked hourly, then also a graduate student in Entomology. In total (with a break) for 35 yrs.
Have you been a member of the APA the whole time? Yes! I’m still here because of the amazing benefits that APA has helped to secure for us, and I am very grateful.
What department do you work in, and can you tell me a little bit about what you do? I currently work for the Institute for Cyber-enabled Research (ICER) whose main function is to provide super computing to MSU researchers. I used to provide support and consulting for that, but in my current role I develop software, data, and data science workflows for researchers. I run a cloud computing workshop series. I have worked for several departments, IT Services and now ICER.
What brought you to your job at MSU? What brought me here was proximity: working as an undergrad in a lab turned into a grad degree, and that turned into a staff position. What keeps me here is the privilege of being a partner with world-class researchers and their students.
What do you enjoy most about working at MSU? People. The people here are MSU’s most valuable assets. The management and staff in ICER are amazing scientists, technologists, and humans. How many can say they actually look forward to staff meetings? I routinely see MSU people going the extra mile to help someone else.
What do you like to do when you are not at work? I love cooking for my family but also spending time in Nature looking for the beauty in small things that are often overlooked.
In high school I was known for being dorky. The weird things I was into then (SciFi, electronic music, Dungeons and Dragons, computers) were not mainstream like they are now!
People would be surprised to know I am skilled at playing the drums. I was in several bands around town until 2004 when my daughter was born.
We have 7 pets at home, thanks to my wife who is a biologist here at MSU.2 dogs, a cat, a snake, a bird, a tortoise and a fish tank.
I like to listen to punk rock, classic country, and jazz music.
My favorite area restaurant is Altus Ethiopian and my favorite dish of their is Ethiopian spicy ground peas.
My hobbies include playing music at home.
My favorite junk food is a basket of French fries because you can share them. I mean, who doesn’t like French Fries?
