Biography
I grew up in Concord, California, graduating from Concord High School in 1975. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a medic stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana from 1976-1979. I served a mission for the LDS church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am married to Beth Kunz and have five children: Emily, Jacob, Sara, Rachel and Samuel. We live in the town of Genola at the southern end of Utah County.
Research Interests
Currently I am parted of a multi-institutional collaboration studying cheatgrass, an invasive annual weed of the western U.S. We are also interested in a fungal pathogen that attacks cheatgrass seeds in the soil.Teaching Interests
My main teaching assignment is genetics, which I have taught for 16 years. I also teach a senior-level course called Readings in Biotechnology that introduces students to biotechnological innovations that are shaping our world. I teach a graduate course in Plant Cell Biology.Memberships
- American Society of Plant Biologists (1994 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Board Member, Utah State Board of Education (2009 - 2013)
- Board Member, Utah Rural Schools Association (2010 - 2012)
- Grant Proposal Reviewer, External, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (2011 - 2011)
- Committee/Council Member, Genola Town (2010 - 2011)