Bachelor of Arts in Physics, University of Texas @ Austin, 1982; Master of Science in Geology, Centenary College (Shreveport, Louisiana), 1990; Doktortitel in Geophysics, Southern Methodist University, 1999; absolvierte die USAF Test Pilot School; Semifinalist bei der Astronautenauswahl der NASA-Gruppe 18; derzeit Research/Teaching Assistant am Dept. of Geological Sciences, Southern Methodist University.