James Lawrence Powell holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry from MIT and has served as a college professor, president of three colleges, and as a member of the National Science Board under two U.S. Presidents. He directed the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History and the Glenn T. Seaborg Center. An accomplished author, Powell has written numerous books on geology, climate change, planetary science, and the history of science. His career bridges academic leadership and public science communication, with a focus on explaining complex scientific ideas to general audiences.