Mark Benvenuto is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Detroit Mercy, in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. His research thrusts span a wide array of subjects, but include the use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to determine trace elemental compositions of aquatic and land-based plant matter, food and dietary supplements, and medieval and ancient artifacts. Benvenuto received a B.S. in chemistry from the Virginia Military Institute, and after several years in the Army, a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Virginia. After a post-doctoral fellowship at The Pennsylvania State University, he joined the faculty at the University of Detroit Mercy in 1993.