He has dedicated his 20+ year career to extractive metallurgy with specific emphasis on non-ferrous electrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. Starting with his first summer job at Big River Zinc and continuing to his current roles as professor, AMIRA project leader, Copper Refinery Group facilitator, and SME/TMS member, he has focused his efforts on the improvement of industrial process through training and research. Dr. Moats earned his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1992 and 1995, respectively. As an undergraduate, he was awarded the A.P. Green Medal as UMR's outstanding graduating senior and the SME-MPD national scholarship (now called the Klimpel Scholarship).