# Joel Hallan

> American computer programmer, creator of Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog

**Wikidata**: [Q131292183](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131292183)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joel-hallan

## Summary
Joel Hallan is an American computer programmer and software engineer recognized for creating **Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog**. He is affiliated with Texas A&M University and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Hallan is also a recognized authority in zoology, specifically interested in the taxonomy of Salticidae (jumping spiders) and Palpigradi (micro-whip scorpions).

## Biography
*   **Nationality:** United States
*   **Known for:** Creating Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog
*   **Employer(s):** Texas A&M University, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
*   **Residence:** Austin
*   **Field(s):** Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Biology
*   **Languages:** English

## Contributions
Joel Hallan's primary contribution to the scientific community is the creation and maintenance of **Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog**. This resource serves as a significant reference for biological taxonomy.

In addition to his work as a programmer, Hallan has made specific contributions to the field of zoology. He holds a registered **ZooBank Author ID (934B74C2-38C6-4DC4-A5AF-DBBD1A1877EC)**, which identifies him as an official contributor to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. His research interests focus on specific arachnid orders; he has documented and cataloged species within **Salticidae** (jumping spiders) and **Palpigradi**.

By applying his background in software engineering to biological data, Hallan has helped bridge the gap between computer science and biodiversity documentation. His work facilitates the organization and accessibility of taxonomic data for researchers globally.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Joel Hallan best known for?
A: Joel Hallan is best known for creating **Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog**, a comprehensive resource for biological taxonomy. He is also known for his work as a computer programmer and software engineer.

### Q: What are Joel Hallan's academic and professional affiliations?
A: He is affiliated with **Texas A&M University** and has worked with the **Texas Parks and Wildlife Department**. He currently resides in Austin.

### Q: What specific areas of biology is Joel Hallan interested in?
A: Joel Hallan has a documented interest in **Salticidae** (jumping spiders) and **Palpigradi** (an order of arachnids known as micro-whip scorpions).

## Why They Matter
Joel Hallan represents a critical intersection between computer science and academic biology. While his primary professional identity is that of a computer programmer and software engineer, his impact is strongly felt in the field of biodiversity informatics.

His work matters because taxonomic catalogs are essential for organizing the vast history of biological discovery. By creating "Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog," he provided a structured, accessible system for managing data on complex species groups like Salticidae and Palpigradi. Without such efforts, researchers would face significantly greater challenges in cross-referencing species names, historical classifications, and taxonomic hierarchies. His registration with ZooBank further solidifies his standing as a legitimate contributor to zoological nomenclature, ensuring that his work is recognized in the official scientific record.

## Notable For
*   **Creator of Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog:** A definitive resource for taxonomic data.
*   **ZooBank Registration:** Officially registered author in the official registry of Zoological Nomenclature (ID: 934B74C2-38C6-4DC4-A5AF-DBBD1A1877EC).
*   **Cross-Disciplinary Expertise:** Combines a career in computer programming (Texas A&M University) with deep expertise in zoology.
*   **Arachnology Research:** Focused interest on Salticidae and Palpigradi.

## Body
### Professional Background
Joel Hallan is an American computer programmer, also described as a software engineer and software developer. He is based in Austin, Texas. His professional career includes significant affiliations with two major institutions:
*   **Texas A&M University**
*   **Texas Parks and Wildlife Department**

His work involves writing computer software and practicing software engineering, skills he has applied to the management of biological data.

### Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog
Hallan is the creator of the self-titled **Joel Hallan's Biology Catalog**. This project leverages his programming skills to organize biological taxonomy.

### Zoological Interests
Hallan possesses specialized knowledge in specific branches of zoology, particularly regarding arachnids. His documented areas of interest include:
*   **Salticidae:** The family of spiders commonly known as jumping spiders.
*   **Palpigradi:** An order of tiny arachnids often referred to as micro-whip scorpions.

He is recognized as a male human contributor to these fields, with English as his primary language. His contributions are verified through external references, including the Biodiversity Heritage Library.

## References

1. [Source](https://blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2012/09/biology-catalog-and-joel-hallan.html)