He holds a doctoral degree in Engineering & Public Policy and Civil & Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. His research interests are in risk assessment and stakeholder engagement. His previous research projects include an assessment of the risk posed by residual surface contamination after a bioterrorism event, the development of interventional strategies to reduce carbon monoxide intoxication risk in northern Mexico, and an evaluation of stakeholder engagement strategies for use by the biosolids land application industry. He has worked as an engineering consultant and as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Cameroon.