Degrees

• 1989 Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
• 1982 M.S. University of California, Los Angeles
• 1980 B.S. Yale University

Research Area

• Star and planet formation

Current Courses

• Astronomy 102: Introduction to Astronomy
• Astronomy 201: The Solar System
• Astronomy 203: Theories of the Universe

Current Positions

• Professor of Astronomy, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
• Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Physics & Astronomy
• Director, Communication of Science Program, Vanderbilt College of Arts & Science
• Co-Director, Scientific Computing Program, Vanderbilt University School of Engineering and College of Arts & Science
• Chair, University Faculty Senate (2011-2012)

Previous Positions

• 1998-2005 Associate Professor of Astronomy, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
• 1991-1998 Assistant Professor of Astronomy, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
• 1989-1991 Research Associate, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida
• 1984-1985 Instructor of Astronomy, Santa Monica Community College

Professional Societies

• American Astronomical Society
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Professional Honors

• Thomas Jefferson Award for University Service (Vanderbilt), 2009
• Chancellor’s Award for Research (Vanderbilt), 2005
• Jeffrey Nordhaus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (Vanderbilt), 2003
• Chancellor's Cup, 2001: given to the Vanderbilt faculty member "who has made the greatest contribution to undergraduate student-faculty relationships in the recent past"
• Robert Penn Warrent Center for the Humanities Fellow, 1999-2000
• Templeton Foundation Award, Science & Religion course competition, 1998
• Lilly Teaching Fellow, 1994-1995

Graduate Students

• Sonali J. Shukla, 2009. Current position: postdoctoral scholar, Penn State University
• Jeffrey Bary, Ph.D., 2003. Current position: Faculty, Colgate University
• Tracy Huard, Ph.D. 2000. Current position: Research scientist, University of Maryland
• Laszlo Sturmann, Ph.D. 1997. Current position: Staff Scientist, CHARA.
• Ashwin Mahesh, M.S. 1993. Manager of Mapunity (www.mapunity.in) and editor of India Together (www.indiatogether.org).

Publications

• Is Pluto a Planet? An Historical Journey Through the Solar System. Princeton University Press (2006 and 2008). See: http://press.princeton.edu/titles/8247.html
• How Old is the Universe? Princeton University Press (2011). See: http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9285.html