Richard D. Ashby is a research chemist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, USA. He is an expert in the fermentative production and analysis of microbial glycolipid biosurfactants and their potential new applications. Dr. Ashby has been an active AOCS member since 1997. He has served the society as a member of a number of committees and as an officer in the Biotechnology Division (Chair from 2015 to 2016), He was elected AOCS Fellow in 2019, and in 2008, he and his research team received AOCS’ SDS/NBB Glycerine Innovation Research Award. Dr. Ashby’s work focuses on fermentative production and analysis of microbial glycolipid biosurfactants and their potential new applications.