Brian received a BS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science in 1994 and an MS in Educational Technology in 1997, both from Purdue University. Brian is currently pursuing his doctorate in Instructional Technology at the University of Houston. His dissertation work focuses on exploring the use of Communities of Practice to improve science education in K-12 classrooms and adult learning situations.
Following his graduation Brian has held a variety of positions in both industry and the academic environment. He has contributed to research efforts on marine mammals at the Laboratory for Applied Biotelemetry & Biotechnology, on lake pollution and water clarity, the effects of groundcover and soil type on soil erosion and chemical uptake and binding in soil organic matter.
Brian has conducted classroom teaching at the university level in creating instructional video, classroom technology integration, soil science and computer literacy. Brian has authored several peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations on a variety of technological and educational topics.
Brian entered the aquarium hobby with freshwater tanks and spent seven years keeping freshwater fish while breeding various species of guppies, mollies and angelfish. He also has spent over 200 hours volunteering for the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network in Galveston, Texas. In addition to writing for Reefkeeping Magazine, Brian has been an active member and a presenter for the Marine Aquarium and Reef Society of Houston (MARSH) and was involved in the Chicago Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS).
In 2006, Brian founded Project DIBS, also know as the Desirable Invertebrates Breeding Society, an organization dedicated to collaboration, distribution and education related to breeding of marine invertebrates in closed systems. Many important issues facing the hobby today interest him, including: exotic introductions, educating new hobbyists, the declining state of natural reefs and research on live rock hitchhikers and invertebrates.
When he's not involved with any of the above activities, he enjoys spending time with his wonderfully supportive wife, Christine, and playing a variety of sports.