BIOGRAPHY

                                                                                     

 

I was born on November 5, 1957, the year of Sputnik, marking the beginning of the space race. In high school, between the ages of 15 and 18, I enrolled in the mathematics track. There were only 6 students in my class and my teacher, Mr. Ben Nathan, bought me the book “What is Mathematics,” by Courant. That led me to go to college and major in Mathematics.

 

In 1976, I entered Virginia Polytechnic Institute. During my sophomore year, I enrolled in a class taught by Leonard Meirovitch. As it happened, he was a well known professor who did work in the area of dynamics. One day after class Leonard asked me whether I’d be interested in working for him. I worked for him until receiving a Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics in 1983.

 

After receiving a Ph.D., I moved to Los Angeles, California, where my twin brother David lived, and began working for the aerospace company TRW. TRW was having troubles, so I asked for a leave of absence from TRW and opened an exotic bird store with David. During that year, I applied for a faculty position and wrote the paper entitled “Uniform Damping Control of Spacecraft,” which later became somewhat popular. I wrote the paper at the checkout counter of the exotic bird store during slow store hours.

 

In 1984, I received a faculty position at North Carolina State University. I was fascinated with the interaction between electricity and mechanics so my research focused on advancing techniques in dynamics and control of electromechanical systems. In 1986, I met Debbie Due. We married and had our daughter Corrine in 1989.

 

In 1991, at NASA’s request, I made an interesting electromechanical device that ejects spheres into orbit that has since flown on three space shuttle flights. I also enjoy teaching and have written several books to help students better understand mechanics, electrodynamics, and field theory.   

 

Today, I continue my work in field theory, help with departmental administrative matters, and enjoy spending time with students, family and friends.