I'm currently a postgraduate in the final thrashes of my astrophysics PhD. I've put this website together as I'm looking to leave academia and get a job in the video games industry as a programmer.

I got into science because I enjoy problem solving and figuring out how things work. However, when I got into it full time I found the part I enjoyed most was the programming, because I KNEW I could solve whatever problem was thrown at me, as long as I bashed my head against the keyboard enough times.

I've been playing video games for a long time, starting with 'Alex Kidd in Miracle World' on SEGA's Master System II, and have been furiously exercising my thumbs ever since. When I looked into the methods used in video game programming, that was it, I was fascinated. I marvelled at the elegance of making a speeding hedgehog collect rings, or a young rock, paper, scissors champion punch a pterodactyl. I knew immediately those were problems I wanted to pursue myself.

A few of my favourite more recent(ish) video games include Portal (1&2), Max Payne 2, Team Fortress 2, Burnout Paradise, World of Warcraft, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Skate, Red Dead Redemption and plenty of others that I've forgotten about for the moment...

As well as playing and making video games I have a variety of other interests. Since the age of 10 or so I've been playing the guitar, and along the way I've picked up a few other instruments, including the lap steel, banjo, drums and generally whatever else I can get my hands on. I have been practicing Aikido with Cardiff Sho-Bu-Kan for about 3 years now, always enjoying a chance to muck about in my angry white pyjamas. I also go to the weekly open game with the Cardiff University Roleplay Game society, and recently even ran my very first game.