Dr. John Patrick Kociolek is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with University of Colorado's Museum of Natural History. He obtained his MSc from Bowling Green State University and his PhD from University of Michigan Ann Arbor. His research focuses on the taxonomy, systematics, evolution, biogeography, and ecology of diatoms. He brings more than 35 years of experience to the study of freshwater diatoms spanning the United States, South America, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and India.