Thomas Ultican was born in 1949 in Idaho, USA. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from San Diego State University, and while working in Silicon Valley he published peer-reviewed articles concerning atomic scale measurements and using deposition coatings to protect recording devices. Thomas also earned a master’s degree in education at the The University of California, San Diego. After a few years teaching mathematics and science, he started what has become a successful blog – tultican.com – in support of public education. Thomas’ expertise in Buddhist philosophy developed from three decades in the Soka Gakkai’s study program, where he was both a participant and a lecturer and was fortunate enough to study with some of the world’s foremost experts on Nichiren. Thomas now retired, is a keen sports fan and blogger. He currently lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, Lily.