Dale Griffin received a B.S. in Microbiology in 1990 from the Department of Biology, University of South Florida (USF). In December of 1994 he received a Master of Science in Public Health, with a research focus on methods development for the detection of two pathogenic protozoa (Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia) in environmental samples, from the College of Public Health, USF. In December of 1999 he received a Doctorate of Philosophy with a research focus on the use of molecular methods for detection of water quality indicator microorganisms and pathogenic viruses in fresh and marine waters from the Department of Marine Sciences, USF, St. Petersburg, Florida (major advisor, Dr. Joan B. Rose). In his first Post-Doctoral position at USF’s College of Marine Science, he worked with Dr. John H. Paul III on human enterovirus detection assays, marine lysogeny and isolation of viruses lytic to the red-tide agent Karenia brevis. In his second Post-Doctoral position at the United States Geological Survey in St. Petersburg Florida, he worked with Dr. Eugene A. Shinn on a NASA funded grant to study microbiology and public health issues associated with atmospheric transoceanic transport of African dust to the Caribbean and Americas. He was recently awarded Master Certificates in Six Sigma, Lean Enterprise Solutions and Organization Leadership from Villanova University. Dale has authored or co-authored 84 peer-reviewed journal articles, 12 book sections, and 66 other publications (magazine articles, proceedings papers, cruise reports, convention papers, etc.) on issues of aquatic, soil, and atmospheric microbiology.