David Kirschtel brings a background in both environmental sciences and science education. His graduate training is in periphyton ecology with an MS from University of Louisville and a PhD from the University of Vermont. Other projects include algal cell morphometry, modeling phosphorus uptake in algal turf scrubbers, and acidification and headwater stream benthos. He was also involved with the development of online learning resources for biology at Michigan State University. Most recently, he was a lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Washington where he received a three-year NSF contract to conduct workshops in active, inquiry-based learning for college faculty as part of the FIRST II Project.