Dr. Eliot Epstein is an internationally known expert in composting of waste material. He specializes in composting and biosolids management, solid waste, land application, and waste disposal. He is a soil physicist-agronomist by training.

Dr. Epstein spent 16 years as Research and Station Leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine. In 1972, Dr. Epstein transferred to the USDA Research Center at Beltsville, Maryland, where he was the principal scientist on the project that resulted in the development of the "Beltsville" Forced Aeration Composting System for sewage sludge. Dr. Epstein has directed a variety of waste management projects for both government and industry.