Jay Brewster is the Provost of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He is a Professor of Biology whose research focuses upon the molecular signaling pathways that control cell survival and adaptation. His current work focuses upon the cellular impact of inhaled ultrafine nanoparticles that are prevalent in polluted environments. He earned the B.A. in Education at Lubbock Christian University (1989) and the Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University (1993). He was a postdoctoral research associate at the McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Research from 1993-1997. He joined Pepperdine University in 1997 and earned the title of full professor in 2007. He was awarded the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence in 2006, and was named a Frank R. Seaver Professor of Natural Science in 2010. His research has been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and by the National Science Foundation (NSF). He serves as director of the NSF-funded Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology (SURB) program at Pepperdine. His professional service has included serving on funding panels for the NSF and NIH, the board of directors for the Southern California Conferences for Undergraduate Research, and the site director for the 2011 Christian Scholars Conference held at Pepperdine University. Prior to his selection as provost, Dr. Brewster has served Pepperdine University in administrative roles that include Divisional Dean of Natural Sciences and Associate Provost.