He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1993 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his B.S. in 1981 from Samford University in Birmingham Alabama. He received the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) 2007 Glenn W. Irwin, Jr., M.D., Experience Excellence Recognition, the Indiana Dental Association Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2008, and a IU Trustees’ Teaching Award in 2009. He currently serves as the President of the IUPUI Faculty Council and a Co-secretary of the IU Faculty Council.