Dr. Churlstein was an archaeologist who worked for IPX. He was a member of the Icarus expedition on its mission to the newly discovered planet out on the Rim of known space, codenamed Alpha Omega III. After being captured by the 'Egg' and taken to an underground Shadow facility, he became a willing servant of the Shadows. However, he was killed by Donne,an agent of the Psi Corps attached to the expedition, shortly after revealing himself to her as well as Anna Sheridan and Morden.