How long have you worked at Vanderbilt?

I marked the 20-year milestone this year.

Where is your favorite place on Vanderbilt's campus?

The Susan Gray School for Children at the Kennedy Center. It gives me a strong sense of grounding in how research can affect people's lives.

Describe what you do in a typical day.

It's a mixed bag of sweating the details, deadline pressures, negotiating with external sponsors of Vanderbilt projects, problem solving and an occasional dispute resolution. Plus, trying to pay attention to the bigger picture of how Vanderbilt research relates to national affairs and vice versa.

What is the worst thing about your job?

Having little control over how I spend my time. Most of my priorities are defined by variables I cannot influence.

What are two things that you do very well?

I'm an above-average swimmer, bicyclist and trumpet player.

What's your favorite book, and what book are you

currently reading?

Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences, by John Allen Paulos, and Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters, by Matt Ridley.

Which album or recording artist do you listen to
create the following moods or to help you with the
following chores:

Cleaning house? Delbert McClinton Live from Austin, or John Prine Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings

Romantic dinner? Bach's Brandenburg Concerti

Rainy weekend afternoon? Chris Botti Slowing Down the World, or Bonnie Raitt Longing in Their Hearts

Best day ever? Gary Nicholson The Sky is Not the Limit

Worst day ever? Jonell Mosser Around Townes

What one talent or gift would you like to have?

The ability to write really fine songs and musical arrangements.

What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

A clear, crisp night away from the city lights where you can see a bazillion stars in the sky. And I'll always stop dead in my tracks to take in a sunset or a moonrise.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Dave Barry, assuming he can act as funny as he writes.

What word or phrase would you put on your gravestone?

A Lewis Grizzard quote: "Elvis is dead and I don't feel so good myself."

-- Whitney Weeks

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