Education and Career
- Texas Tech University (B.A.), University of Kansas (Ph.D.)
- College professor in New York City, Detroit, Boston, and El Paso
- Biomedical research, with close to 100 published papers on
- Environmental adaptation of reptiles and amphibians,
- Neurochemistry of learning and memory
- Sexual differentiation in the brain
- Co-author of two books on astrobiology (Life in the Universe and Cosmic Biology), one on The Evolutionary Imperative, and sole author of one in neuroscience (Scotophobin)
- NASA Solar System Ambassador (volunteer science educator) for robotic exploration of space by the Jet Propulsion Lab at Caltech
Public Service
- Elected four times to Newton, MA Board of Aldermen
- Co-founder of Border Biomedical Research Center, focused on health disparities on the U.S.-Mexican border, at the University of Texas at El Paso
- Former member of International Boundary and Water Commission for Mexico and the United States
- Current member of Governor’s State Innovation Model policy committee for integrating mental and physical healthcare
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children, volunteer and peer coordinator
- Policy Director for Senator Irene Aguilar since 2012
- Policy Director for Representative Susan Lontine since 2015
Political Activities in Denver
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Democratic Party of Denver in 2015.
- Member of county party Executive Committee for seven years
- Frequent member of Democratic State and County Central Committees
- Captain-at-large and member of Executive Committee of Democratic Party of Denver, 2010 -2017
- Chair, Public Policy Committee of Democratic Party of Denver for seven years
- Contributor and consistent participant with HD5 Democrats since 2010
A COLORADOAN BY CHOICE, NOT CHANCE
I first set foot in Colorado on a crisp, autumn day decades ago, and was overwhelmed by its beauty, openness, and inspiration.
Remembering that gorgeous day, years later I bought sight unseen from a magazine ad a small parcel of land in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just to posses a tiny share of this magical place.
Moving to Denver several years ago was thus the culmination of a long-held dream; and my time here has only strengthened the bonds between me and my adoptive home.
I am proud to live in House District 5, which encompasses the full range of people, incomes, opportunities, and challenges that state government should serve – helping those in need, and promoting the success of those in a position to help themselves.