Rob Nelson

Biologist, science communicator & TV presenter

Rob has forged his career as a biologist and science communicator first via his popular Untamed Science online site (which won a special Jury award a Jackson Wild's SMASH festival) and now via StoneAgeMan and on Youtube. With over 400 educational shorts, nearly 55% of the US youth use them on a weekly basis. Using his popularity in communicating science in the online world, Rob has forged ahead as the producer, cameraman and host for several productions on TV and online. His recent TV work includes Life After Chernobyl, Man-Eating Python of Sulawesi for Animal Planet, and the Science Series Secrets of the Underground. He has also appeared as an expert on Science Channel's hit show, What on Earth, Stange Evidence, World's Weirdest, Nat Geo's Animals Gone Wild, and DNews.

Rob grew up in Dallas, Texas. Being a Texan, he brings southern hospitality, warm-heartedness, empathy for conservative values and an uncensored enthusiasm to the shoots. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in marine science from the University of Miami, a Masters degree in Zoology from the University of Hawaii, specializing in population and behavioral ecology, and a Masters degree in Natural History filmmaking from Montana State University.

As a teacher and communicator, Rob enjoys sharing his love of science and adventure. In 2003 he founded Explore Biodiversity and later co-founded the Biomes Guide of The Wild Classroom. He then co-created and is the current director of Untamed Science. He also teaches via StoneAgeMan. All are non-profit online websites aimed at creating quality science shorts for teachers and students. 

Rob won an Emmy for his work hosting/directing the PBS show, Mysteries of the Driftless (2013). He then produced the sequel Decoding the Driftless (2019) that has over 30 awards, including best picture at the Los Angeles Independent film festival. This show, like many of the shows Rob directs and hosts, takes a behind the scenes look at adventure, and scientific discovery of a special location. One of Rob's talents is having a leading hand in the organization of a topic so that the audience sees the genuine interest of the crew.

Rob is also an author of the popular book Mother Nature is Not out to Kill You, a Bushcraft and Wildlife Survival Guide where he looks at what is known about many of the more dangerous animals and plants on this planet and aims to make sure we can coexist with them safely.

Pictures courtesy of: Haley Nelson and Jonas Stenstrom