Dr. Kelchner is an evolutionary biologist and geneticist with a Ph.D. from the Australian National University, and B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Iowa State University. He has conducted scientific research and teaching at universities for 25 years.

In 2008, Scot spent time with the author Peter Matthiessen, who encouraged him to try Zen practice. In the 'hazy moon' of his experience today, science readily occupies his mind. Working with that attachment is the foundation of Zen and Science.