Marc Humphrey earned his BS in physics and applied mathematics at Western Michigan University, where he was recognized with a Goldwater fellowship, and his PhD in atomic physics at Harvard University. While at Harvard, he was awarded the Harold White Prize for Outstanding Teaching and the Certificate for Distinction in Teaching. Over the past ten years, he has focused on explaining science to nonscientists during his day jobs at the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali.