Michael Fincham

Michael W. Fincham will speak after his film Who Killed Crassostrea virginica: The Fall and Rise of Chesapeake Bay Oysters.  Fincham is a science writer and a documentary producer who focuses on the environment, science, social justice and sports. He currently develops film and television projects through the University of Maryland Sea Grant College. A native Washingtonian, he graduated from Gonzaga High School and studied literature, philosophy, the history of science and film at the University of Maryland, the Institute of European Studies, the University of Vienna and the University of Iowa.

Casey Anderson

Casey Anderson will be discussing Expedition Wild, a film featuring him and his grizzly bear best friend, Brutus. Born and raised in East Helena, Montana, Casey is a fifth generation Montanan and has been involved in Film and Television production for over 12 years.  A wildlife naturalist, Casey has worked on several documentaries.  He recently led two expeditions to Botswana’s Okavango Delta for the HD wildlife series Untamed.  After college, Casey became an animal keeper and trainer at wildlife parks, traveling to elephant orphanages in Kenya, hanging out with crocodiles, and even getting thrashed by a mountain lion.  Casey is married to actress Missi Pyle, and the two now split their time between Montana and Los Angeles.

Ken Paynter

Ken Paynter will speak after the film Who Killed Crassostrea virginica: The Fall and Rise of the Chesapeake Bay Oysters.  Paynter is a Research Associate Professor and Director of the Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences at the University of Maryland’s College of Chemical and Life Sciences.  At the Paynter Labs, he investigates the physiological and ecological processes associated with life in the estuary. His focus is on the biology, ecology, and restoration of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, which plays a critical role in the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Paynter received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1985, focusing on invertebrate biology, comparative physiology, biochemistry and restoration ecology.