James Lawrence Powell has been a college professor and president, a museum director at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, a twelve-year member of the U.S. National Science Board, and the author of several books explaining science to general reader. His most recent book is Unlocking the Moon's Secrets: From Galileo to Giant Impact (2023), from OUP. He holds a bachelor's degree from Berea College in Kentucky, a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Berea College and from Oberlin College. Asteroid 9739 Powell is named for him. He is recently retired as Executive Director of Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity.