My specialization is Phycology -- the study of algae. With an academic research background from Minnesota, I have been most interested in freshwater microbial algae and photosynthetic bacteria. Geographic regions with which I have some working knowledge outside the U.S.A. include central Europe (Netherlands, Austria, Germany), tropical Australia (Jabaru) and Tasmania (Gordon and Franklin Rivers). Now, of course, the temptation to look at oceanic phytoplankton has been great, and I've expanded my interests to include both marine and freshwater microscopic (microbial) algae. Of particular interest to me is the population and community level interaction biologically, chemically and physically, of the microbial world -- algae, bacteria, protists and rotifers -- within microhabitats such as the thin-layer compartments of stratified water columns. Such communities are excellent indicators of lake evolution, and may drive much of the bio-energetics of the entire lake system.