Basil J. Nikolau is the Frances M. Craig Professor (Emeritus) of Biochemistry at Iowa State University (ISU), where he has taught and conducted research since 1988. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Massey University, New Zealand, in 1982, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Davis (1982–1983), and the University of Utah (1983–1985) before joining the faculty of ISU. His research interests focus on the biochemistry and genetics of plant metabolism.