Philip Roveto grew up in New Mexico and the issues of water scarcity and treatment inherent in this region have led him towards the research he is undertaking today. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Boston University, and entered the pharmaceutical industry as a medicinal chemist. While there, he worked on small-molecule target projects that focused on Alzheimer’s and cancer. While designing effective medicine is an important goal, providing clean water to the world’s population, regardless of socio-economic status, is a pursuit that Roveto wanted to dedicate himself to. It is his hope that the work he does will translate into a valued benefit to the environment.