photo: Josh Stepanek

Josh Stepanek, Ph.D.

Josh Stepanek, Ph.D.

Professor, Biological Science
970-569-2977 | jstepanek@coloradomtn.edu

Joshua Stepanek Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
  • M.S. Ecology and Natural Resources, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
  • B.S. Ecology and Field Biology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN

Awards

  • 2020 - 2021 CMC Vail Valley at Edwards Faculty of the Year

Research Interests

My research focuses on how the evolutionary history and functional diversity of algal communities shape aquatic ecosystem structure and function. I use diatoms, an important group of algae that support aquatic food webs, as a model system to study community assembly, ecological transitions across salinity barriers, and the functional consequences of environmental change. My work integrates field-based ecology, systematics, and molecular and genomic approaches, with a particular emphasis on developing molecular tools for ecosystem monitoring and restoration. Much of my research is conducted in collaboration with undergraduate students and is grounded in the living laboratory of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Teaching and Learning

My own academic path was shaped by early exposure to field and laboratory research, and these experiences directly inform how I approach teaching. I emphasize inquiry-based, active learning that connects biological concepts to real-world ecological systems. Across lecture, laboratory, and field courses, I incorporate hands-on investigation, data analysis, and collaborative problem-solving. Undergraduate research and mentorship are central to my teaching, and I work to provide authentic research experiences through course-based projects and independent study. My goal is to help students build confidence, curiosity, and the practical skills needed to engage with science both within and beyond the classroom.

Publications

  • Kociolek J.P., Stepanek J.G. & Hamsher S.E. 2025. Phylogenetic relationships of Denticula and Grunowia species (Bacillariophyta; Bacillariaceae). Phycologia 64(5): 413–419.
  • Stepanek J.G., Carlson T.E., Rumley L.E. & Julius M.L. 2023. Systematic reappraisal of the diminutive Amphora thumensis and the transfer of Halamphora parathumensisto the genus Amphora. Diatom Research 38: 135–142.
  • Kociolek J.P., Lowe R.L., Sánchez K. & Stepanek J.G. 2021. Benthic diatom (Bacillariophyta) flora of Torch Lake, Michigan, an oligotrophic, alkaline ecosystem with evident benthic diatom production, with a consideration of some new and interesting species. The Great Lakes Botanist 60: 24–55.
  • Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2019. Molecular phylogeny of the diatom genera Amphora and Halamphora (Bacillariophyta) with a focus on morphological and ecological evolution. Journal of Phycology 55: 442–456.
  • Hamsher S.E., Keepers K.G., Pogoda C.S., Stepanek J.G., Kane N.C. & Kociolek J.P. 2019. Extensive chloroplast genome rearrangement amongst three closely related Halamphora spp. (Bacillariophyceae), and evidence for rapid evolution as compared to land plants. PLoSONE 14(7): e0217824.
  • Pogoda C.S., Keepers K.G., Hamsher S.E., Stepanek J.G., Kane N.C. & Kociolek J.P. 2019. Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genomes of six newly sequenced diatoms reveals group II introns in the barcoding region of cox1. Mitochondrial DNA Part A 30: 43–51.
  • Kociolek J.P., Williams D.M., Stepanek J.G., Liu Q., Liu Y., You Q., Karthick B. & Kulikovskiy M. 2019. Rampant homoplasy and adaptive radiation in pennate diatoms. Plant Ecology and Evolution 152: 131–141.
  • Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2018. Amphora and Halamphora from inland waters of the United States and Japan, with the description of 33 new species. Bibliotheca Diatomologica 66: 1–260.
  • Lowe R., Kociolek J.P., You Q., Wang Q. & Stepanek J.G. 2017. Diversity of the diatom genus Humidophila in karst areas of Guizhou, China. Phytotaxa 305: 269–284.
  • Stepanek J.G., Fields F.J. & Kociolek J.P. 2016. A comparison of lipid content metrics using six species from the genus Halamphora (Bacillariophyta). Biofuels 7: 521–528.
  • Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2016. Re-examination of Mereschkowsky’s genus Tetramphora (Bacillariophyta) and its separation from Amphora. Diatom Research 31: 123–148.
  • Stepanek J.G., Hamsher S.E., Mayama S., Jewson D.H. & Kociolek J.P. 2016. Observations of two marine members of the genus Cymbellonitzschia (Bacillariophyta) from Tokyo Bay, Japan, with the description of the new species Cymbellonitzschia banzuensis. Phycological Research 64: 26–34.
  • Thomas E.W., Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2016. Historical and current perspectives on the systematics of the ‘enigmatic’ diatom genus Rhoicosphenia (Bacillariophyta), with single and multi-molecular marker and morphological analysis and discussion of the monophyly of ‘monoraphid’ diatoms. PLoS ONE 11(4): e0152797. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0152797.
  • Kociolek J.P., You Q., Stepanek J.G., Lowe R.L. & Wang Q. 2016. A new Eunotia C.G. Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyta: Bacillariophyceae: Eunotiales) species from Karst formations of southern China. Phytotaxa 265: 285–293.
  • Kociolek J.P., You Q., Stepanek J.G., Lowe R.L. & Wang Q. 2016. New freshwater diatom genus, Edtheriotia gen. nov. of the Stephanodiscaceae (Bacillariophyta) from south-central China. Phycological Research 64: 274–280.
  • Stepanek J.G., Mayama S. & Kociolek J.P. 2015. Description and phylogenetic position of Amphora aliformis (Bacillariophyta), a new species from Tokyo Bay. Phycologia 54: 78–86.
  • Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2015. Three new species of the diatom genus Halamphora (Bacillariophyta) from the prairie pothole lakes region of North Dakota, USA. Phytotaxa 197: 27–36.
  • Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2014. Molecular phylogeny of Amphora sensu lato (Bacillariophyta): an investigation into the monophyly and classification of the amphoroid diatoms. Protist 165: 177–195.
  • Hamsher S.E., Graeff C.L., Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2014. Frustular morphology and polyphyly in freshwater Denticula (Bacillariophyceae) species, and the description of Tetralunata gen. nov. (Epithemiaceae, Rhopalodiales). Plant Ecology and Evolution 147: 346–365.
  • Stepanek J.G. & Kociolek J.P. 2013. Several new species of Amphora and Halamphora from the western USA. Diatom Research 28: 61–76.
  • Kociolek J.P., Stepanek J.G., Lowe R.L., Johansen J.R. & Sherwood A.R. 2013. Molecular data show enigmatic cave dwelling diatom Diprora (Bacillariophyceae) to be a raphid diatom. The European Journal of Phycology 48: 474–488.
  • Julius M.L., Stepanek J.G., Tedrow O., Gamble C., & Schoenfuss H.L. 2007. Estrogen-receptor independent effects of two ubiquitous environmental estrogens on Melosira varians Agardh, a common component of the aquatic primary production community. Aquatic Toxicology 85: 19-27.