I am from Aurora , Illinois and I go to school at the University of Illinois . I am an engineering graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering and concentrate on metallurgy. My research involves in-situ TEM microscopy so even while I'm at work I can't get away from imaging.

(Lay man's terms: I do experiments inside of a microscope).

While I have had no official training in photography, it is quite a large hobby of mine to which I dedicate a lot of time. I have learned primarily through experience, reading and the friendly advice of my mother (a professional photographer) and my father (an artist). While I was an undergraduate at the University of Illinios, I shot for the student newspaper, The Daily Illini, and gained quite a bit of experience in the process. After joining graduate school, however, I have had to give that job up because I am now undercontract with the State of Illinois which states that I can not have any other jobs.

I can not promise to be able to post a new photo everyday, as I would like, during the school year due to the massive amount of time my studies require. All I can say at the moment is that I will post as often as possible.

I am always happy to answer questions about anything, including photo setups. Just comment and ask.