Dr. C. Calvert Churn, III received a B.S. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in microbiology and ecology from George Mason University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from Virginia Tech. During his graduate studies, he received the National Science Foundation’s Polar Research Medal for assisting in soil and algal productivity studies in the Dry Valleys, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Dr. Churn has 24 years of industrial experience at Eastman Chemical Company as an environmental engineer. He has designed and optimized biological industrial waste treatment systems for several manufacturing sites around the world. In addition, he played a principal role in the development of a large-scale system for cultivating algae for the production of beta-carotene. Dr. Churn is a member of the Phycological Society of America, the International Water Association and the Water Environment Federation. He is also certified as a Qualified Environmental Professional.