B.A. in Philosophy and German
University of Vermont
B.A. Granted By: |
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT |
Additional Coursework: |
Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany |
Scholarship: |
Ayling-Travelli Tuition Scholarship (4 yrs) |
Honors: |
Phi Beta Kappa / Dean's List / Cum Laude |

Areas of Specialization
Asian Philosophy (Buddhism)
Continental Philosophy (Heidegger)
Happiness & Human Flourishing
Metaphysics / Philosophies of the Self
Comparative Philosophy
Areas of Interest & Competence
Environmental Ethics
Ancient Philosophy
Philosophy of Religion
Adjunct Assistant Professor
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2011-2021
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Tulane University
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Extraordinary Faculty
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2020
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Loyola University
New Orleans
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Visiting Faculty
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2017-2019
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Doshisha University
UNO-Japan
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Visiting Assistant Professor
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2010-2011
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Tulane University
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Adjunct Assistant Professor
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2009-2010
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Tulane University
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* Pioneered Service Learning Courses for Tulane's Philosophy Department;
* Pioneered Student Flourishing Initiatives resulting in new courses;
* Volunteer work with Tibetan Refugees in Dharmsala, India, participating in what has become Tulane's popular Compassion in Action program;
* Invited Designated Speaker helping to prepare New Orleans for the Dalai Lama's visit;
* Invited Panelist at President Clinton's Focus The Nation Conference at Tulane;
* Invited Professor for the Tulane Intellectual Connector program, which is designed to connect "top students with top faculty".

Courses Taught
TIDE 1003
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Happiness & Human Flourishing (TIDES) *
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PHIL 1010 |
Introduction to Philosophy |
PHIL 1020 |
Philosophies of the Self |
SOWK 2130 |
Happiness & Human Flourishing |
PHIL 3500
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Buddhism *
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PHIL 3500H |
Honors Buddhism |
ASTA 3810 |
Intro to Asian Philosophy |
PHIL 3895 |
Service Learning |
PHIL 3931 |
Developments in Buddhism * |
PHIL 4990 |
Honors Thesis Advising |
PHIL 6920
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Buddhist Philosophy
Graduate Level Independent Study
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MLAR 7193 |
Happiness & Human Flourishing Seminar
Graduate Level Course |
MLAR 7215 |
Asian Philosophy
Graduate Level Course |
* Service Learning Courses developed for these courses
in conjunction with Tulane's Center for Public Service
"Gebser and Buddhism: Nonduality and Aperspectivity in Theory and Practice," Keynote Presentation at the 48th Annual Conference of the International Jean Gebser Society, Naropa University, Boulder (2018).
"Reclaiming Sensual Pleasure and Conditional Happiness in Theravada Buddhism," Conference Paper for the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy Panel, American Philosophical Association Central Meeting, New Orleans (2013).
"Heidegger, Ambiguity, and Context," Conference Paper for the 21st Century Heidegger International Conference, Dublin, Ireland (2010).
"Buddhist Emptiness and Physical Realism: Nagel, Putnam, and Madhyamaka," Invited Talk for the Western Emptiness Seminar, Nalandabodhi Center, New York City (2008).
"Buddhism and Environmental Ethics," Religion and Environment Panel at Bill Clinton's Focus the Nation Conference, New Orleans (2008).
"Buddhist Ethics and Just War Theory: On whether war can be justified from within Buddhist ethical systems, Conference Paper for the Annual Conference of the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy, Asilomar (2004).
"Mental Synthesis in Hume, Kant, and Theravada Buddhism: On whether the theory of mind moments found in Theravadan sources such as the Abhidhammatha-Sangaha is susceptible to the same critique of mental synthesis that Kant applied to Hume," Conference Paper for the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy Panel, American Academy of Religion Meeting, Denver (2001).
"Jhanasis: Meditation and Creation. Momentary noetic cosmogenesis, Genesis 1-4, and the Aggañña Sutta in light of the phenomenology of meditation as it is detailed in the Pali Canon," Conference Paper for the 4th International Research Conference of the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy, University of Missouri-Columbia (2000).
"Postmodernism and Environmental Ethics: Deconstruction is a Double-Edged Sword," (with Michael Zimmerman) at Tulane's Interdisciplinary Scholars Network lecture series "The Local and the Global" (1999).
"On The Locus of Meaning: Disembodied Phenomenology, Embodied Phenomenology, and Existential Neurobiology," at the CIIS Philosophy and Religion Round Table (1998).
"Zen and the West," Invited Talk at the Center for Global Education at Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan (2019).
"Buddhism in Dialogue" -- Presentation to The Atlas Foundation as a Designated Speaker for the Dalai Lama's visit to New Orleans (2013).
"Mindful Medicine: Meditation, Neuroscience, and Evidence Based Wellness Practices" -- Presentation to Doctors and Medical Students at the Tulane School of Medicine " as a Designated Speaker for the Dalai Lama's visit to New Orleans (2013).
Languages Studied
English (Native)
German (Advanced), Pali (Advanced), French (Advanced)
Greek & Latin Etymology

Fellowships and Awards
Tulane University
Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Award
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Murphy Institute Dissertation Fellowship
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Freie Universität Berlin Research Fellowship
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Mortar Board Award for Outstanding Teaching
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Graduate Tuition and Stipend Fellowship
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University of Vermont
Phi Beta Kappa
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Ayling-Travelli Tuition Scholarship
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Related Stations and Activities
Memberships in Professional Organizations
Member
American Philosophical Association |
Member
Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy
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Member
International Jean Gebser Society
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Professional Trainings: Teaching
What Do the Best University Professors Do?
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
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Bootcamp for Professors
University of Colorado
Denver, CO
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Professional Activities: Buddhism & Mindfulness
Advanced Pali Language Study
Translating Buddhist Texts
Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, Oxford, UK
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Meditation Facilitator Training
Kanzeon Zen Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Meditation Teacher Training
Bhavana Society Monastery
High View, WV
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Pali Language Study
Translating Buddhist Texts
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
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Founder & Instructor
Tulane Meditation Club
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Buddhist Studies and Volunteer Work
Louisiana Himalaya Association
Dharmsala, India
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