Faculty List

The field of biology is an exciting area for student investigations. Since biology is intimately linked with the surrounding environment, so my career has joined or linked these two fields. Field work in environmental science has occupied 14 years of my public service career, when I conducted field investigations for the Dept. of Environmental Quality in Michigan, and was employed as a professional Aquatic Biologist. These studies also included contaminated site surveys, and the determination of pollution impacts on aquatic communities.

I have worked at site remediation and sediment cleanups across Michigan and have surveyed hundreds of Michigan's streams. The aquatic organisms are my main areas of expertise; including macroinvertebrates, algae, fish, tracheophytes, and the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities.

Familiarity with the broad field of Environmental Science as well as a deep knowledge of aquatic organisms are areas in which I have published papers and presented research or field results at the State, the National, and International levels .

I encourage student investigation into these broad topic areas. Past student professional presentations have included; "The Diatoms of Vestaburg Bog", " The Strike Behavior of Bullfrogs", "The Fish Communities of the Pine River", the "Impacts of CAFOS on Stream Water Quality" and "Testing the Effects of Invasive Species on Biomagnification".

Algal dynamics in flowing waters and in unique bog habitats. Microfloral changes in the plankton community. Aquatic organisms response to various stressors, including nutrient loading; Agricultural impacts on stream systems.

Alma students are good stewards of the world around them. Whether cleaning a long-neglected Jewish cemetery in Poland or the Pine River in our backyard, you can be involved in service projects through classroom work or volunteer activities. Your education is personalized to your talents and interests to prepare you for service, leadership and stewardship.