I was born and raised in Calcutta, India, many (but not very many) moons ago.   (Calcutta, for the uninitiated, is, of course, located just outside New Jersey.)   I plan to live in the US for the rest of my life or till I am eaten by wolves, whichever comes sooner. 

My father was a Physics professor and a classical musician but did not have any affinity for wolves as far as I can tell.  I think I inherited my love for academics and music from him -- although I hated studying (for school) when I was young.  I would rather read a storybook, daydream and occasionally chase a wolf or two.

 I consider myself off-centered (on the positive side, I hope) both in terms of sanity and sense of humor (another inherited family trait).   I love animals and share my house with my Meine-coon cat, Gandhi, and my dog, Matthew.  Matthew's pedigree is not very clear --  but it is clear that all his ancentors were very big dogs.  Currently, Matthew is a six-month old  40 lb puppy, who I am assured will grow to be a 70 pounder.  Matthew was abandoned and, one day, wandered in my office and found me.   The rest, as they say, is a pile of poop.   

I also get bored easily and, consequently, need to be intellectually stimulated in many different directions all the time to keep whatever little sanity I possess.  This is reflected both in my academic background (check my vita) as well as in my current research areas and topics (check my research papers).  I do not even teach the same class the same way twice, and, at times, when the mood overcomes me, I have been known to break out in dance and an occasional song.  The students then wake up from their deep slumbers and wish that I was eaten by those wolves I mentioned earlier. 

I love to play racquet ball, roller blade, (attempt to) play the piano, and to get licked by my dog and cat -- but not necessarily in that order.   One of these days, I might just about begin to have a life.