A native of the east coast, John adopted the west as his home early in the development of his professional life. His professional activities, however, have a definite international flavor and impact, as he held a university faculty position abroad and has focused on work of worldwide interest. John obtained his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University, and his Master of Arts degree in Anthropology and Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology from the University of Arizona. His dissertation topic, “Physical Growth in Tucson School Children” (population differences and variations within ethnic populations, such as SES, etc.), preceded an extensive involvement in pediatric and medical genetics research. As Research Coordinator for IHD/AzUCD, John heads or co-directs several programs, including several population-based surveillance projects that focus on fetal alcohol syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, muscular dystrophy, and birth defects. He also directs the Biostatistics Unit of the Pediatrics Center on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and is the Member for Genetics, Interdisciplinary Training Council, Institute for Human Development, Northern Arizona University.

John’s current appointments at the University of Arizona are: Director of Program Development, Arizona University Center on Disabilities; Research Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine; Faculty Member, Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics; and Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology. John is extensively involved with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN), having held the presidency of the organization and continuing his involvement as Member of the NBDPN Surveillance Guidelines and Standards Committee.