I am a Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics and have appointments in the Cognitive Science Program, the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching and the Joint Program in Linguistics and Anthropology. 

My research revolves around various topics within the Minimalist Principles and Parameters approach to syntactic theory including phrase structure, copular constructions, case theory, word order (especially verb initial languages). The past 4 years I have been leading a team investigating the syntax, phonology and phonetics of Modern Scottish Gaelic. I am the author of numerous articles and 9 books. In my off hours, I'm usually off doing international folk dancing or square dancing.

I am the Dean of the Graduate College, where I oversee both the day to day operations of admissions, graduate student services, fellowships, scholarships, the Graduate Center, and research and policy for graduate studies at the University.