Technology

Personal Skills

My research field of neuroscience, in particular electrophysiology, required that I develop skills in programming, circuit building, and the use of computers and high-tech equipment for automated data collection. I became an assistant professor around the time the World wide web was emerging, so it was natural for me to adopt these technologies in my teaching. I established one of the first web servers at Ferris State and had students publishing information about diseases and their drug treatments as part of class projects. This work led me into creating computer labs for students, and creating and supporting collaborative and learning management systems. As a self-taught technologist I am very cognizant of the difficulties that non-technical people face in adopting technology, and therefore skilled at working with non-technical faculty and administrators to promote the use and benefits of technology.

I am knowledgeable in many technical areas of networking, infrastructure and internet technologies and have significant experience with:

• • Most of the MS Office applications including web development software.

  • Multimedia creation software (graphics, video and audio editing, 3D modeling and animation).

  • Synchronous and streaming video conferencing, application sharing and presentation technologies.

  • Development of enterprise applications such as a web-based learning management system and a Windows based personal knowledge management system.

  • Programming in HTML, Active Server page technology, and VB scripting.

  • Writing compiled help files. 

Institutional Technology Management

My early adoption of technology to support teaching and learning resulted in a skill set that was much in demand in higher education and led to many joint appointments as a faculty member and administrator with technical responsibilities.  In these roles I:

• • Implemented a collaborative infrastructure that enabled Stony Brook and Penn State University to overcome many of the geographic challenges inherent in a multi-campus system. This included conferencing and document collaboration systems used for committee work, synchronous teaching and research.

  • Developed significant experience implementing and managing the following server systems:

    • Windows server and advanced server (Clustering).

    • Internet Information Server.

    • Active Directory.

    • Centra and Adobe Connect desktop video conferencing and collaboration systems.

    • Exchange messaging and Live Communication Server (Instant messaging).

    • Microsoft SharePoint (document & team collaboration).

    • Distributed file systems.

    • SQL server.

    • ANGEL, Blackboard and homegrown (LEADE) learning management systems.

  • Managed user support services 

    • Implemented a trouble ticketing system at Stony Brook to improve work quality and customer satisfaction

    • Initiated and managed Creighton University’s first required student laptop program for all 600 students in the School of Pharmacy, including students in the online program located across the United States and Canada.

    • Supported over 300 faculty and staff office and research lab computers. 

  • Designed and managed numerous web sites.

  • Started and ran my own software business that developed and sold a knowledge management application in 27 countries.