Carlo Parravano is the executive director of the Merck Institute for Science Education, where he is responsible for the planning, developing and implementing of numerous initiatives to improve science education in several states. Before his current position, Dr. Parravano was professor of chemistry and chair of the Division of Natural Sciences at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase. While at SUNY, he taught courses in general, physical, analytical, and environmental chemistry. In 1977, he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to his academic and administrative appointments, he served as director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the SUNY Purchase/Westchester School Partnership. Dr. Parravano serves as vice chair of the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards Board and co-chair of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Science Standards Committee. He served on the advisory board of the National Science Resources Center and the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse. Currently, he is a member of the advisory board for the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, the New Jersey Mathematics Coalition, and the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence. He was a PI for a NSF-funded Mathematics and Science Partnership project. He earned a B.A. in chemistry at Oberlin College and received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry in at the University of California-Santa Cruz.