Dr Robert Dekker graduated B.Sc (Honors, 1969) from University of Western Australia (Perth, AUSTRALIA), and M.Sc (1972) & Ph.D (1975) degrees from James Cook University, Townsville (AUSTRALIA). He spent a post-doc term at Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg (GERMANY; 1975-76), and in 1976 took up an academic post at University of Natal (1976-79, SOUTH AFRICA). In 1980, he worked in Australian industry (CSR Ltd., Sugar Division, Sydney, 1980-81) followed in government (CSIRO, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA) within the Divisions: Chemical Technology (1982-83), Chemical & Wood Technology (1984-87), Biotechnology (1988-90), where he was Principal Research Scientist. In 1993, he returned to academia: Murdoch University (Perth, AUSTRALIA, 1993-96), & as Senior Visiting Professor in BRAZIL (Universidade Estadual de Londrina; 1999-2002; 2004-06), and SPAIN (Universidad de Castilla de La-Mancha, Ciudad Real, 2006-08). In 2008, Dr Dekker was appointed Founding Director of the Biorefining Research Institute, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay (CANADA; 2008-13). Dr Dekker has held Visiting Professorships in Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and consulted for Australian industry, & United Nations Development Program (CHILE, 1989) on Biorefining Technology. Over 55 years, his research focused on Applied Biochemistry & Microbiology & Industrial Biotechnology. Recently, his studies center on biological functions of fungal B-glucans. He has authored 220 papers (cited 8500 times).