Scott Calvin is the chair of the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics at Sarah Lawrence College, where he teaches innovative courses, including crazy ideas in physics, rocket science, and steampunk physics. He is also a member of the principal research team for beamline X-11B at the National Synchrotron Light Source. Since 1998, he has been using XAFS to study systems as diverse as solar cells, magnetic nanoparticles, soil samples, battery cathodes, analogues to atmospheric dust particles, and pigments used in 18th century painting. He received a PhD in physics from Hunter College of the City University of New York.