I was born in Sydney, Australia, and regarding my heritage, my father's side is from the High Tatra in Slovakia, and my mother's side is German-born but from Lithuanian heritage. I grew up in Queensland from the age of six. I have had a love for physics since I was five. By the time I got to year nine in high school, I could do some university physics quite easily. I have had numerous jobs in my life: from working with bulldozers and trucks to working as a cabinet maker. For over the last twenty-five years, I have been a high school science teacher. I do have the following qualifications: a master's degree in education from University of Western Sydney, 1995; a graduate diploma in education, majoring in the sciences and computing from University of Technology, Sydney, Kuring Gai Campus, 1989; a bachelor of science degree, majoring in physics, physical mathematics, electronics, computing, and science, technology, and society from Griffith University, 1988; and an associate diploma in applied biology from University of Technology, Queensland, 1980.