James M. Gentile is the Dean for the Natural and Applied Sciences at Hope College in Holland, MI. He was President of Research Corporation for Science Advancement, the oldest foundation in the nation dedicated solely to science, from 2005 until 2013. Prior to his tenure at RCSA, he was the Kenneth G. Herrick Professor of Biology at Hope College, where he also served as the departmental chair in Biology, and held the position of Dean of the Sciences during his 29 years at the institution. Dr. Gentile obtained a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, a M.S. and Ph.D. from Illinois State University, and undertook postdoctoral studies in the Department of Human Genetics at the Yale University School of Medicine. He is an AAAS Fellow, a National Associate of the National Academies of Sciences, and a National Academies Education Mentor. He was also honored by Illinois State University with an Alumni Achievement Award, election to the University Hall of Fame, and their 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award. He has been, or continues as, a consultant to numerous national and international public and private colleges, universities, foundations and corporations. He currently authors an active blog in the Huffington Post.