My research focusses on the origin of planetary system such as our own Solar System and the systems that are now commonly found around other stars. I approach this question with observations at wavelengths of a few millimeters to a a few microns, also known as the (sub) millimeter and infrared regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum. These wavelengths can penetrate the thick layers of dust that enshroud newly formed star, allowing astronomers to directly witness the process of star formation in progress. I use instruments such as the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Hawaii, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and numerous others.