Challen, our Chief Essay Editor, graduated from Bates College in 2007 with a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology. After graduating, he worked as a research assistant at Harvard University before going back to Guatemala to pursue his passion for conservation (and continue caring for his collection of 3000+ orchids!). In 2023, he was awarded a Conservation Grant by the American Orchid Society for a project at Santuario Natural El Tular, a reserve whose orchid garden is in his care. He also presented his work at the 7th Annual Andean Orchid Conference in Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru, last December.