Dr. Joseph Groom completed his undergraduate degree in Biology and German at Vanderbilt University, and his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia studying the genetics of biofuel-producing bacteria. For his postdoctoral research at the University of Washington he applied his molecular genetic training to different bacteria that consume the greenhouse gas methane. Later as an assistant professor at California State University-Long Beach, he continued using eccentric microbes as genetic study systems to unravel the mechanisms of greenhouse gas conversion. He has included enthusiastic students in his research, in his teaching, and in a combination of both. Currently he works a Research Scientist at the University of Washington and teaches courses both at the UW Seattle and UW Bothell campuses.