This profile originally appeared in the Winter 2012 issue of Bowdoin magazine.

Bowdoin major: Chemical Physics

Current residence: Tacoma, Washington

Web: www.cascadepg.com

On founding Cascade Programming Group, Inc.: Over the past decade it’s been just me working on all sorts of different data-related analytic, environmental, and programming projects. It started with some freelance work and a regular day job working as a statistical analyst in Seattle. I followed my interests and things turned up. Looking back, my best stroke of luck (which didn’t seem like luck at the time) was bombing out of a graduate program in theoretical biostatistics. While making lemonade, I learned my real strength and passion is doing applied work, not theory.

Recent explorations: I found significant relative age effect bias in the selection process used by the Tacoma Public School District’s gifted student programs. You can read about it on the public area of my website.

Keeping current: I read a lot and try to keep an open mind. I don’t watch TV or do social media.

My strongest influence: Being a first-generation American. In spite of huge challenges the United States currently faces, and some recent declines in equality across our society, I still feel very fortunate to live here.

Vacation: Beach, city, or mountains? We have some incredible terrain close to home. My family got into sailing several years ago, and we’ve started exploring the Southern Inside Passage from the perspective of our 24-foot, trailer-able sailboat. Think deluxe sea kayaking with a queen bed under the cockpit.

Favorite childhood pastimes: Legos and mountaineering. That switched to sailing after my children came along.

 

If you could have been born, raised, and settled in a country other than the US, which would you choose? Sweden in the 1970s. Just ask anyone who was there.

You play the cello-have you had any particularly memorable cello gigs? Playing with Natalie Cole and her band in Seattle about 18 months ago. It was unforgettable.