I have been interested in science since I was in grade school in Detroit, Michigan. I received my bachelor's degree in chemistry (1963) and then went on to receive a masters (1967) and doctorate (1969) in molecular biophysics from Michigan State University.

I then started work in the laboratories of the Ocean System Division of Union Carbide in Tarrytown, New York, studying problems concerning decompression sickness also known as "the bends." In 1975, I went to Seattle, Washington, to work at the Institute of Applied Physiology and Medicine (IAPM).

In 1977, I took a leave from IAPM to work in Germany for three years at the Institute for Aerospace Medicine in Bonn. I returned and remained at I.A.P.M. until 1989 when I joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. I am currently the head of the Environmental Physiology/Biophysics group. My current research there involves decompression problems associated with decompression sickness during Extravehicular Activity.

In addition to chemistry and biophysics, I enjoyed a wide variety of aspects of science. I use a knowledge of physiology and medicine every day in my work and have an interest in topics such as astronomy, geology, and meteorology. Outside of science, since I was in grade school, I have been very interested in history, especially ancient history. I enjoy reading, music and art and play the guitar and 5-string banjo in the church choir.