Linda R. Berg is an award-winning teacher and textbook author. She received a B.S. in science education, an M.S. in botany, and a Ph.D. in plant physiology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Berg taught at the University of Maryland (College Park for 17 years and at St. Petersburg College in Florida for 8 years). She has taught introductory courses in environmental science, biology, and botany to thousands of students and has received numerous teaching and service awards. Dr. Berg is also the recipient of many national and regional awards, including the National Science Teachers Association Award for Innovations in College Science Teaching, the Nation’s Capital Area Disabled Student Services Award, and the Washington Academy of Sciences Award in University Science Teaching. During her career as a professional science writer, Dr. Berg has authored or co-authored numerous editions of several leading college science textbooks.

Mary Catherine Hager is a professional science writer and editor specializing in educational materials for life and earth sciences. She received a double-major B.A. in environmental science and biology from the University of Virginia and an M.S. in zoology from the University of Georgia. Ms. Hager worked as an editor for an environmental consulting firm and as a senior editor for a scientific reference publisher. For the past 15 years, she has published articles in environmental trade magazines, edited federal and state reports addressing wetlands conservation issues, and written and edited components of environmental science and biology textbooks for target audiences ranging from middle school to college.

David M. Hassenzahl is the Founding Dean of the School of Sustainability and the Environment at Chatham University. An internationally recognized scholar of sustainability and risk analysis, his research focuses on incorporating scientific information and expertise into public decision. He holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and Paleontology from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School. The National Science Foundation has supported his efforts in climate change education, and his work has been recognized by the Society for Risk Analysis Outstanding Educator Award and the UNLV Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award.