Richard Lutz received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. from the University of Maine. He has been an active member of NSA since his days as a student of Herb Hidu, and he received the Thurlow Nelson Award. In addition to serving as President, he has served on several committees for NSA. Rich has published over 175 papers, book chapters and reviews. He is a global leader in hydrothermal vent research and has been instrumental in moving this field of research forward as a member of numerous national and international advisory committees and is currently Director of the Center for Deep Sea Ecology and Biotechnology at Rutgers. Rich’s research has focused bivalve shell morphology, and the ecology of deep sea vents. In addition to his opening lecture, Rich will also provide an introduction to his IMAX film, Volcanoes of the Deep, on Thursday evening prior to the screening.