His research focuses on the design of algorithms and hardware for the navigation and guidance of aircraft, small satellites and ground vehicles. He was the secretary of the Satellite Division of the Institute of Navigation (ION) from 2008 - 2010 and an associate editor (navigation) for the IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota he was a commissioned naval officer and served as a System Engineer at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Division of Naval Reactors in Washington D.C from 1990 - 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from George Washington University and a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.