Prior to joining the University of Maryland, he was assistant professor at the University of Utah. He received his Ph.D. in molecular biophysics from the Johns Hopkins University and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Alberta in peptide chemistry. His current research interest includes biomaterials engineering and imaging agent development. He received the 2004 Kimmel Scholars Award for his work on imaging agent development and the 2005 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers for his work on biomaterials. Biography