Gary has long been fascinating with what brings people' together. This interest led him to study sociology, eventually receiving a PhD from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. His work focused on intergroup relations and intercultural communication, focusing on how immigrant convenience store owners and their customers were able to form meaningful relationships across the counters.

He would carrying this passion to study a variety of contexts in which people were able to bridge divides and work together. He has examined distributed software development teams, medical documentation and records production, police interrogations, the design and use of digital psychiatric tools, and virtual communities. In every instance, he has sought to understand what brings people together, and how to design environments and experiences to make that possible.

Gary also takes his message beyond academia. He has consulted with industry-leading companies to help create better connections between employees and customers. He has helped to redesign call center training programs to create moments that matter. He has advised on how to build better employee experience programs to create connection with organizations. He has done trainings on how to develop DEI programs that create belonging.

Gary speaks to a variety of audiences large and small to inspire creating connections and community. He is the co-host of Experience by Design podcast, where he and Adam Gamwell '“explore experience designs of all kinds.” He is a frequent blogger and Twitch streamer (as ProfessorEXP), where he translates academic insights into strategic action. Using a social science framework, he applies a systems perspective to turn complexity into opportunity.