Scott Burns

Scott Burns is a Professor Emeritus of Geology and Past-Chair of the Dept. of Geology at Portland State University where he just completed his 28th year of teaching. He was also Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at P.S.U. from 1997-1999. Scott has been teaching for 48 years, with past positions in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana. Dr. Burns specializes in environmental and engineering geology, geomorphology, soils, and Quaternary geology. Scott has won many awards for outstanding teaching, the most significant being the Faculty Senate Chair Award at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Portland State Alumni Association in 2001, and the George Hoffmann Award from PSU in 2007. Based on his national leadership performance Scott was chosen to be a fellow of the Geological Society of America (2004) and a fellow with the Kellogg National Fellowship Program (1990 – 1993). He was president of the Downtown Rotary Club of Portland, Oregon’s oldest and largest Rotary club in 2009. Scott is a 6th generation Oregonian who grew up in Beaverton and is very happy to be "home" after a 25 year hiatus! He actively helps local TV, radio stations and newspapers bring important geological news to the public. Scott enjoys all sports, especially basketball, running, skiing, hiking, swimming, tennis, and golf.

Wayne Ranney

Wayne Ranney is a geologist and writer who is a veteran of expedition travel, having journeyed to and lectured on all of Earth’s seven continents. He is the recipient of the 2018 American Association of Petroleum Geologists “Geosciences in the Media Award” and has received other national and regional honors for his writing, lectures, blog postings, and expeditionary guiding. His foreign and domestic travels have taken him to South America (Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and the Amazon), Australia and New Zealand, the Polar regions (Antarctica, Iceland, and Greenland), and desert landscapes in Africa, Asia, the Atacama, and the American Southwest.

With a lifelong interest in the earth sciences, Wayne specializes in making the fascinating story of our planet come alive for fellow travelers. He was elected to the Explorers Club and has visited more than 85 countries. Wayne is a retired professor of geology who lives in Flagstaff, Arizona near his beloved Grand Canyon. He is passionate about sharing his vast knowledge of earth history with others in an easy-going and informal style, yet he is a well-respected author of numerous award-winning books and articles. He enjoys languages, hiking, river running, photography, conversation, and anything that allows him to get outdoors with others in seeing the varied and interesting landscapes of our beautiful planet.

Don Wilson

Don Wilson is Curator Emeritus of Mammals at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and was named senior scientist in January 2000. Don was director of the Smithsonian's Biodiversity Programs for ten years. A distinguished mammalogist and an internationally recognized authority on bats, he earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of New Mexico. He is the author of over 240 scientific publications and 25 books, including the highly acclaimed Series Handbook of Mammals of the World. For the last 40 years, his work has taken him around the world conducting field work and research. He has led tours for Smithsonian Journeys to most of the world's greatest natural history destinations, from Antarctica to Africa. Don loves to share his passion for the natural world, and his easygoing nature, sense of humor, and excellent presentations have earned him much praise and a loyal following from Smithsonian travelers.

George Losey

George Losey, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaii, received his Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography working on the behavior and ecology of the fishes of the East Pacific. His research, mostly on coral reef fishes, includes cleaning symbiosis, intraspecific aggression, and learning behavior. His most recent work on ultraviolet vision and coloration in reef fishes led him to Australia's Lizard Island Research Station on two research expeditions. He has traveled extensively all over Australia and New Zealand.

Peter Bobrowsky

Peter Bobrowsky is a professional archaeologist and geologist with 30 years of experience working as a consultant, scholar and researcher in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. He obtained his PhD in 1989 from the University of Alberta and is currently an Adjunct Full Professor at both Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. An author of some 350 scientific publications including several technical books such as the Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards, he was elected as an International Fellow of the Explorers Club of New York and a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Eugene Shoemaker Communications Award for Best Book in 2009, the Edward B. Burwell Jr. Award for Engineering Geology in 2011 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Dr. Bobrowsky has a prominent history of international positions and appointments including former Secretary General of the International Union of Geological Sciences an NGO representing some 1 million earth scientists around the world, former President of the Canadian Quaternary Association, and former President of the Geological Association of Canada. A popular lecturer for the Smithsonian, he is a passionate traveler who has visited some 100 countries. Known for his scholarly insights and enthusiastic and easygoing speaking style, he will bring to life the crucial link between landscapes and society.