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POV : Science Guy Panelist Biographies

Premieres Monday, April 18 at 10 p.m. on PBS

Bill Nye, Science Educator and CEO,

Bill Nye is a science educator, mechanical engineer, New York Times best-selling author and host of the Emmy-nominated on . In his role as the creator and host of the 18-time Emmy-award winning , Nye helped introduce the millennial generation to science and engineering in an entertaining and accessible manner, fostering an understanding and appreciation for the science that makes our world work. Today, Nye is a respected champion of scientific literacy who has challenged opponents of evidence-based education and policy on , and critical thinking. He currently serves as CEO of the Planetary Society, the world’s largest and most influential non-governmental space organization, co- founded by . He has authored three New York Times best-selling books: Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation (2015), Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World (2016) and Everything All At Once: How to Unleash Your Inner Nerd, Tap into Radical Curiosity and Solve Any Problem (2017). He also co-authored the middle-grade reader series Jack and the Geniuses.

David Alvarado, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Bill Nye: Science Guy

David Alvarado is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a passion for science, philosophy and human rights. After earning his B.A. in film production from the University of North Texas, he worked at Dallas PBS affiliate KERA Channel 13, then later earned his M.F.A. from Stanford University’s Documentary Film and Video Production program. He now lives in New York, where he founded Structure Films, a documentary production company creating long form nonfiction storytelling about science, health and technology. His first feature documentary with co-director Jason Sussberg was The Immortalists (2014), about two scientists who want to cheat death, screening its world premiere in competition at SXSW, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, BFI London Film Festival and others. Bill Nye: Science Guy is his latest film. Justine Nagan, Executive Producer/Executive Director, POV/American Documentary

Justine Nagan is the executive director of American Documentary, Inc., and an executive producer on its two signature series, POV (PBS) and America ReFramed (WORLD Channel in partnership with WGBH). POV, now in its 30th season, is the longest-running independent documentary series on American television, and begins its 31st season April 18. Nagan is a strong believer in the important role of public media in a democracy; diversity and independent voices in popular culture; and of documentary as a tool for civic dialogue, new thinking and social change.

Prior to joining AmDoc in 2015, Nagan led Kartemquin Films as executive director for seven years, and was an Emmy Award-winning executive producer on Kartemquin films, including Life Itself and The Interrupters by Steve James and The Trials of Muhammad Ali by Bill Siegel. She successfully transitioned to the executive director role in the historic founder-led organization; under her leadership the organization significantly expanded its programs to assist documentary filmmakers and saw unprecedented levels of production and financial growth. During her tenure, more than 20 projects had world premieres, including the ambitious duPont Award-winning six-hour series Hard Earned for Al Jazeera America. She left the organization with a robust production pipeline and a strong financial footing.

With Kartemquin, Nagan also directed Typeface, an award-winning documentary about American typography and graphic design, and the doc short Sacred Transformations.

Nagan has a certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago in the humanities/cinema and media studies. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is active in the media community and was one of the founding board members of Good Pitch Chicago. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two young sons.

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