Name: Amy Hogan
Age: 30
Profession:  University lecturer, Psychology

A bit about me: Born in the Year of the Horse, I grew up in Marlow, Buckinghamshire (UK), the discovery place of Fusarium venenatum (the fungus used to produce Quorn).  At the tender age of 15, I was inspired to become a university professor, and so I dedicated myself to many years of poverty … I mean, higher education. To this end, I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology (2002) and a doctoral degree in psychology (2009) from the University of Bath, UK.   

In order to repay monumental student loans, I divide my time working as a research associate and psychology instructor. As an Adjunct Professor of psychology at several universities in North Carolina, I teach courses on cognitive psychology, new media psychology, research methods and statistics. I have worked as a research associate on a number of diverse research projects, ranging from students’ perception of science to young people’s civic engagement, from  motivations for healthy living to mobile phone use (check out www.amyhogan.com for more information).

In my free time, I enjoy designing and building websites, developing my interest in photography and … oh yeah, renovating our new house! I also while away many happy hours playing with our five (yes, five) dogs: Beegee, Gizmo, Shrimp, T-Rex and Arriba.

Name:  Rick Hoodenpyle
Age: 38
Profession:  Computer Geek (a.k.a. Software Developer)

A bit about me: With a degree in IT and almost 20 years of working with computers, I am a self proclaimed computer geek. I started out building and repairing computers, progressing to network administration and then software development.  I moved to Raleigh, NC two years ago to work for RMS as a developer.

Over the years, I have also worked in a variety of other professions.  I once worked as a carpenter, helping to build a 6 million dollar home in Houston, Texas,  I’ve also had experience working as a plumber and electrician.  All of these DIY skills will no doubt come in handy for renovating our new home.  Other jobs I have had include working as a counselor at a psychiatric hospital, and as a bouncer at a strip club (I am not sure how well these experiences will help me with the renovations!)

I have been fortunate to experience a lot in my life, living in various places across the States (and even in my car for about a month). But the best thing that has happened in my life is when I married Amy (who knew a chance meeting in cyberspace would turn out this way?). Recently, of course, Amy and I purchased this lovely house together and I will have lots of fun working with her to update it.  Hopefully, it won’t take so long that by the time we get it updated it will need to be done all over again