He earned a BS in EE/Physics at Clarkson College of Technology in 1975 and a PhD in Physics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1979. He has been actively involved in research relating to photonics devices such as fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers since the 1980's. His work has resulted in approximately 35 publications, as well as three invited conference presentations. He also is a contributor to the book FLUORIDE GLASS FIBER OPTICS (Academic Press 1991).