Patrick Guilfoile, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biology at Bemidji State University , in northern Minnesota .  From his first backpacking trip in northern Wisconsin in the late 1970’s, when he spent several sleepless nights removing ticks from his tent, sleeping bag, and person, he has maintained an interest in the biology of these fascinating creatures.  In recent years he has published several articles on the biology of blacklegged ticks in scientific journals including The Journal of Vector Ecology, The Journal of Medical Entomology, and Experimental and Applied Acarology. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology from Northland College and his Master's degree in Biology Education from UW-Eau Claire. He earned his doctorate in Bacteriology from UW-Madison, and did postdoctoral research at the Whitehead Institute at MIT in Cambridge, MA. He can be reached via the publisher at books@forstepress.com, or at ForSte Press, Inc., P.O. Box 1537, Bemidji, MN 56619.