Dr. James G. Speight has a BSc and PhD in Chemistry; he also holds a DSc in Geological Sciences and a PhD in Petroleum Engineering. He has more than 50 years of experience in areas associated with (1) the properties, recovery, and refining of conventional petroleum, heavy oil, and tar sand bitumen, (2) the properties and refining of natural gas, and (3) the properties and refining of biomass, biofuels, biogas, and the generation of bioenergy. His work has also focused on environmental effects, environmental remediation, and safety issues associated with the production and use of fuels and biofuels. He is the author (and co-author) of more than 100 books related to petroleum science, petroleum engineering, biomass and biofuels, and environmental sciences.

Although he has always worked in private industry and focused on contract-based work, Dr. Speight has served as a Visiting Professor in the College of Science, University of Mosul (Iraq), Visiting Professor in Chemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago as well as adjunct appointments at various universities. He has also served as a thesis examiner for more than 25 theses.

As a result of his work, Dr. Speight has been honored as the recipient of the following awards: (1) Diploma of Honor, United States National Petroleum Engineering Society for Outstanding Contributions to the Petroleum Industry, 1995; (2) Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences for Outstanding Work in the Area of Petroleum Science, 1996; (3) Einstein Medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions and Service in the Field of Geologic Sciences, 2001; (4) Gold Medal - Scientists without Frontiers, Russian Academy of Sciences in Recognition of His Continuous Encouragement of Scientists to Work Together across International Borders, 2005; (5) Gold Medal - Giants of Science and Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences, in Recognition of Continued Excellence in Science and Engineering, 2006; (6) Methanex Distinguished Professor, University of Trinidad and Tobago in Recognition of Excellence in Research, 2007; and (7) The American Excellence Award for Excellence in Client Solutions from the United States Institute of Trade and Commerce, Washington, DC, 2018.