I received my BS in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts in 1986, and my MS and PhD in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts (1992 and 1996, respectively). Between my BS and MS/PhD, I worked full-time at the University of Massachusetts Physical Plant, attempting to introduce an automated system to help with Plant's operations. After receiving my PhD, I joined IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center as a Research Staff Member.
My research focus is on the problems associated with developing and evolving large, complex software systems, and that's the common theme behind all of the various sub-areas in which I've worked (and am working). I like big, hard, nasty problems, which is why I chose software engineering (though I still seem to spend half my life dispelling common myths about software engineering being nothing more than "common sense." No one with any sense, common or otherwise, could produce the kinds of software engineering nightmares with which software engineering researchers deal daily!).
I am a past general chair of OOPSLA 2006 and currently serve on the OOPSLA Steering Committee. I have served on numerous program committees, including OOPSLA, ECOOP, FSE, and ICSE, and have also served, or am serving, on organizing committees for several conferences. I have also co-organized numerous workshops.