Bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from University of California-Berkeley, 1978; master of science in aeronautics from CalTech, 1979; Sc.D. in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT, 1983; unsuccessful application for NASA astronaut group 13; professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California; during this work he had a major experiment to study flame balls aboard STS-107, Columbia; backup for STS-83; hobbies: Mountaineering, marathon running, skiing, backpacking, whitewater kayaking, surfing, guitar playing, growing tropical fruit.