I have worked at the University of Hawaii at Hilo from August 1997 to August 2017 as a Professor of Geology, specializing in volcanology. In August 2017, I was appointed to be interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs while UH Hilo searches for a new chancellor and , then, a new Vice Chancellor. Prior to working at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, I spent 15 years as a researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey in their Volcano Hazards Team and also worked for 3 years in private industry doing mineral exploration and mining.

My goal as Vice Chancellor are to create an environment on the campus where student success is the primary goal of all faculty and staff.