J. Michael Boyles graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Geological Engineering. Following his undergraduate studies, he studied the sedimentology of modern shallow marine environments and modern trace fossils at Skidaway Oceanographic Institute. This was followed by work for the USGS that included being a field assistant in Denver and field geologist in Antarctica. He returned to school and received his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Texas. After his advanced studies, he has spent over 25 years in the petroleum industry working in research and as a technical specialist studying clastic sedimentology, stratigraphy and the stratigraphic interpretation of 3D seismic. Experience includes working for Cities Service Company, Research Planning Institute, Shell Oil Company, Union Pacific Resources, ConocoPhillips and the University of Wyoming. Mike is currently working for Shell Canada as a shallow marine and fluvial stratigraphic specialist working a variety of multi-disciplinary interpretation, reservoir characterization and modeling projects.