| EMPLOYMENT |
Director of Morrison Planetarium and Science Visualization (April 2007–present)
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
- Supervise creation of visualizations for the planetarium, sterescopic theater, and exhibits
- Supervise implementation of audio-visual hardware and software and non-enterprise information technology
- Act as a resource for digital planetarium technology and production
- Serving on advisory panel for upcoming AMNH space show
- Served on the 2007 awards committee for DomeFest
- Interface with astronomical community and interpret research
Science Visualizer, Rose Center for Earth and Space (March 2001–April 2007)
American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York
- Interface with astronomical community and interpret research
- Provide visualizations for space-show production
- Worked with researchers and technical directors to produce visualizations for the “Cosmic Collisions” space show, which debuted in March 2006
- Wrote and directed “Cosmic Collisions” pre-show high-definition video that loops Q&A, then introduces the show to all visitors
- Assisted in integrating more than a dozen researchers’ work into “The Search for Life” space show, which debuted in March 2002
- Integrate visualizations into educational programs
- Wrote and advised for “Astro-Viz” segments featured in NASA-supported AstroBulletins program, distributed to several dozen science centers and museums worldwide
- Wrote and directed regular “Mars Update” high-definition video loop—used as walk-in for all Hayden Planetarium space shows and played on NASA TV
- Wrote and directed “Sunscapes” high-definition video segment
- Bring expertise and production skills to education programs
- Organizing Committee member, “Seeing the Universe” NASA Explorer Institute held at the American Museum of Natural History in February 2005
- Worked with exhibition design on the “Discovering the Universe” Moveable Museum program
- Curatorial Consultant, Educators Guide for the “Discovering the Universe” Moveable Museum
- Project Team member, Educators Guide for the “The Search for Life” space show
- Teach Hayden Planetarium courses and programs
- Regular presenter at monthly “Virtual Universe” program
- Instructor for “Relativity 101” (Fall 2005),
“Scientific Revolution” (Spring 2005, Winter 2004, and Fall 2002),
“Astronomy, Art, and Perception” (Winter 2005), and
“Stars, Constellations, and Legends” (Fall 2004)
- Co-instructor for “Galaxies and Cosmology” (Spring 2005),
“Hidden in Plain Sight” (Winter 2005),
“Envisioning the Virtual Universe” (Fall 2003 and Fall 2002), and
“From Einstein to Hawking” (Spring 2003)
- Act as a resource for digital planetarium technology and production
- Foster relationships within the planetarium community
Director of Theaters, LodeStar Astronomy Center (November 1999–February 2001)
LodeStar Project, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Performed duties of director of astronomy-oriented science center
- Oversaw day-to-day operation of 6,000 square feet of exhibits, planetarium, motion simulator, and gift shop
- Directly supervised four area managers, with two additional full-time and approximately fifteen part-time co-workers
- Acted as liaison between New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (host institution) and the University of New Mexico (administrating institution)
- Developed media for fulldome video in new planetarium
- Wrote and produced debut program, which opened in March 2000
Manager, Dorrance Planetarium (November 1996–November 1999)
Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, Arizona
- Managed two full-time and three part-time people, plus one volunteer
- Focus on developing creative team, giving each member performance, problem-solving, and production roles
- Wrote and produced all planetarium shows—including five original feature shows from October 1997 through July 1999
- Reviewed content with science center planetarium committee and outside advisors
- Developed imagery with in-house production staff, supervising and creating still graphics and animations
- Oversaw audio production, including work with narrators Hugh Downs and Michael York
- Commissioned and advised on original musical scores
- Streamlined final multimedia programming, including Spice, Interactive, and Digistar software components
- Integrated live and interactive portions to differentiate experience from large-format film venue
- Co-wrote and -produced portions of “Destination Moon” with Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Took de facto lead in all planetarium troubleshooting, including Evans & Sutherland and Sky-Skan hardware and software
- Media contact (radio, TV, and print) for astronomical events and planetarium-related activities
- Produced televised public-service announcements for planetarium shows
- Prepared and administrated annual planetarium budget
- Served on science center’s grants-review committee
- Organized 1999 DesertSkies regional planetarium conference and 1999 Digistar Users Group meeting
Manager, Burke Baker Planetarium (August 1993–November 1996)
Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas
- Managed planetarium staff of six part-time operators and laserists
- Wrote and produced all planetarium shows—including five original feature shows
- Developed “Destination Mars” planetarium show, exhibit, and curriculum with NASA’s Johnson Space Center
- Co-investigator on “Creating the Public Connection” NASA grant NAG5-2689
- Prepared and administrated annual planetarium budget
- Developed and maintained Museum’s website and electronic mail server
- Maintained MicroVAX, SPARCstation 1, and Digistar I Graphics Processor and Projector
- Operated Museum’s 16–inch telescope (Brown Observatory)
Planetarium Instructor (August 1995–May 1996)
Houston Independent School District, Houston, Texas
- Taught daily 4th– and 7th–grade classes in planetarium
- Interim, part-time position alternating with managerial duties at planetarium
Planetarium Operator / Lecturer (March 1991–July 1993)
Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas
- Performed live and taped planetarium shows—including weekly “Stars of the Season” night-sky talk
- Programmed Digistar laser-show and astronomy effects and acquired traditional production techniques
- Edited and wrote scripts for astronomy features
Research / Teaching Assistant (August 1990–July 1993)
Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Reduced and analyzed wide-band Hubble Space Telescope data
- System manager of SPARCstation 2 (pre-Solaris) used for image-processing
- Teaching assistant for 300–level class in observational astronomy techniques—from small telescopes to IRAF
Teacher Mentor (Summers 1991–92)
Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Introduced junior- and senior-high-school instructors to astronomy research, data reduction and analysis
- Scheduled and assisted in wide-band CCD observations at local 36–inch telescope (George Observatory)
Research Assistant (Summer / Winter Breaks 1987–89)
Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Infrared data reduction and analysis for SIRTF / NICMOS groups
- Performed detector testing, electronics construction and repair
Art Director (October 1986–June 1990)
Visions Magazine, Ithaca, New York
- Selected artwork, executed drawings, and designed layout for independent college magazine
- Worked with artists, graphic designers, marketing staff, and print shops
Writer / Cartoonist (August 1986–June 1990)
Cornell Daily Sun, Ithaca, New York
- Wrote approximately 70 reviews, features, and news articles—as well as a daily comic strip for one year
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