He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics at Harvard University. His current research interests are in geometric combinatorics and applications to mathematical economics, and many of his papers have been coauthored with undergraduates. He has received recognition for his writing and his teaching from the Mathematical Association of America, who awarded him the Merten M. Hasse Prize in 2001 (for excellence in expository writing) and the Henry L. Alder Award in 2004 (for excellence in teaching). In his spare time he enjoys writing music, photography, outdoor sports, and deep theological discussions.