Mike studies "dust" particles in all types of astrophysical environments: interstellar, circumstellar, and planetary. Such work includes (an inordinate amount of) data processing and numerical modeling, as well as the sampling of very dry martinis. Over the past year, he has focused his activities (for better or for worse) on data from the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Rumor has it that Mike has a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Wisconsin, though no one from the University would speak on-record citing national security concerns and rampant apathy. Of an even more speculative nature, one is lead to believe that he may have some outside interests, but this was categorically denied by a spokesperson, "perhaps when the children are in college." Three years since the exodus from Augusta, GA and subsequent relocation to the Milwaukee area (he decided to skip the 40 years in the desert), he and Barbara Whitney remain committed to meeting for coffee at the 2 Loons Cafe and shopping at the Nike outlet.
