I grew up in the ever-exciting Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania: Our region boasts having supplied 98% of the world's anthracite coal. The scars of such industry are still apparent, with great slag heaps dotting neighboring towns. In all actuality, though, while the area is not exactly a cultural mecca, it's a good place to grow up.

Relocating to Boston for college, I began studying at MIT in 1997. I majored in computer science and finished my Master's in 2002. Deciding I like the freedoms of academia, I moved to a bigger city to continue with my PhD at NYU, focusing on security, distributed systems, and cryptography.

But all work not only makes Jack dull, but burnt-out as well...although there definitely have been instances of that! In the past few years, I took up such activities as rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, hiking, and kayaking. See my adventure section for some trips. Now if only I could get away from New York City sometimes...still looking for partners in the Big Apple.