Eric Allen has a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics from Cornell University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in the Java programming languages team at Rice University. His research concerns the development of semantic models and static analysis tools for the Java language, both at the source and bytecode levels. Currently, Eric is constructing a compiler for the NextGen programming language, an extension of the Java language with added language features. He has also moderated the Java Beginner discussion forum at JavaWorld and is a project manager of DrJava, an open source Java IDE designed for beginners.