Born into a very "outdoorsy" family, Tristan was introduced to the natural World at a very young age.  His initial interest was specific to South American birds, and subsequent education at Louisiana State University and the University of Kansas allowed him to accompany scientific expeditions to most South American countries, as well as China, the Philippines, and Africa.  It was obvious early on in his travels that Tristan much preferred those locations with less humidity (western Peru, the pampas of Argentina, etc.), and this was a significant reason he moved to Arizona in 2001.  

Once arriving in Arizona, Tristan readily transitioned his scientific passions to cacti and succulents, and although Tristan has authored numerous scientific publications related to ornithology, he published his first paper on desert succulents in 2011 in the Cactus & Succulent Journal.  He’s since participated in botany trips to study agaves in Mexico, co-authored the description of several species of Agave and a new species of Beschorneria, and discovered and described a new species of cactus in Mexico (Thelocactus tepelmemensis).  He’s currently working with Greg Starr on another agave discovery, as well as working with South American colleagues on Puya in Peru.

As most people know, Tristan's botanical passions are primarily centered around South American columnar and rare Brazilian cacti and the species of ocotillo (Fouquieria).  Additionally, he continues to accompany scientific expeditions to locations around the World hoping to again get to some desert-like locations!

Tristan currently resides in Chandler, AZ and is an Adjunct Researcher at the Biodiversity Institute of the University of Kansas, an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society, and a member ofthe Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society; he served on the Board of Directors for CACSS, and currently administers the Propagation Education Group (PEG) and the Seed Depot for the society.