I have been working on sPHENIX since the beginning. I am not sure exactly what the start date was, I worked on PHENIX from its beginning and then transitioned into sPHENIX as it started up. It feels like another chapter of the same book.

What is the focus of your work on the sPHENIX experiment?

I mainly work with the calorimeter group to operate and maintain the EMCal, but also assist the collaboration in any way I can.

Where were you born and what is your educational background before your current position?

I was born and raised on Long Island, and currently live with my wife of 32 years, in Wading River. I started out in visual arts and then transitioned into the sciences after graduating and struggling as a working artist. I chose physics because it looked challenging, but also because it is the foundation of all the other sciences. I started working part-time at BNL while I was an undergrad Physics student at SBU. I am a lifetime student, and enjoy educational environments and learning new things. I have (so far) earned AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MS, and MENG degrees, mainly in science and engineering.

What is the title of your Ph.D. or tentative title? Awards or biggest talk highlight?

I have not earned a Ph.D. I have presented posters at IEEE/MIC Conferences, and gave a talk on the PHENIX EMCal monitoring system at a SCIFI Conf., but no major talks to speak of.

How did you decide to go into heavy ion or spin research?

I started out at BNL doing detector R&D work with Craig Woody. We did a lot of work studying scintillating crystals, quantifying radiation damage, and building and testing detector prototypes. We also got involved with the PHENIX (Shashlik) EMCal, and worked on that for the duration of PHENIX. In parallel we also formed the BNL RatCAP collaboration, working on PET medical imaging detectors, and detector R&D with SiPMs. This led to working on detector R&D and prototypes for the sPHENIX EMCal, and eventually building it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like creative pursuits such as art, design, and music. I also like to get outside and walk. I have been trying to complete the New York section of the Appalachian Trail this year.

Fun fact?

When I am not taking sPHENIX shifts, I work Saturdays (since 1981!) at a small textile design and printing company in Mt Vernon, NY.