Jeffrey Ridgway:  

Life After high school, I attended Purdue University ( Lafayette IN). I majored in engineering geology, wanting to pursue a career in geologic field work. Unfortunately, because of a recurring leg injury, I had to drop out of school, and when it didn't heal properly, I got a leg operation. I finally was able to get healthy enough to adapt to walking around Campus, and received my bachelor's degree in 1981. (It's ironic because I loved track & running so much in High School!) Then I pursued a Master's degree in geophysics, which I got in 84. A research assistantship from NASA grant paid my graduate education, and I worked on a very interesting thesis (interesting for Geophysics Wonks!). After graduation, I worked in petroleum exploration for 2 years in Texas. Didn't like the Texas heat, and the oil industry had a downturn in 1986. I left Texas for Washington DC in 86, to work for NASA as a scientific programmer/analyst. Did this for five interesting and productive years, then came out to California to pursue my Ph.D. in geophysics at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. After lots of hard work inter-mixed w...Expand for more