Tim has a PhD and MS in Geology from the University of Kentucky (1990; 1986) as well as a BS in Geology from the University of Maryland. Tim is the Managing Director of Cipher Consulting Pty Ltd and is also an Adjunct Associated Professor at the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, as well as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the China University of Mining and Technology, China. Tim previously worked for Sinopec Oil & Gas Australia, Origin Energy Ltd, Ephindo Energy Ltd., Dart Energy Ltd., Arrow Energy International, Solid Energy New Zealand, CRL Energy, and the Geological Survey of Wyoming. He has conducted research on organic material, including coal and gas on all seven continents. He is a member of The Society for Organic Petrology, Society of Petroleum Engineers, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and the Geosciences Society of New Zealand, among other organisations.