General Statement
Scientists, like most people, often categorize colleagues into disciplines - a process which can unfortunately hinder out-of-box thinking. A review of my vitae will show that I have published on a very broad diversity of research topics ranging from physiological to watershed ecology, invertebrate to fish to algal ecology, and fundamental to applied questions. This research has been conducted in freshwater to marine systems, great rivers to ephemeral ponds, and benthic to pelagic habitats using experimental to theoretical approaches. So what box do I fit in the best? If forced to narrow my description, I would say I am primarily a community to ecosystem ecologist who works mostly in rivers on projects usually involving invertebrates in some aspect. But, really I am a jack-of-all-trades, aquatic ecologist!My research concentrates on aquatic systems of the great plains (especially the Kansas and Missouri Rivers) and midwestern USA (particularly the Mississippi River). However, I am also investigating research opportunities that concern dryland rivers in Australia and I am looking for students interested in pursuing research in any of these disparate regions.
I came to KU in a position where my primary responsibilities are conducting research and raising extramural funds (for a combined 80% of my appointment). However, I would not have come here for the start of the 2001-2002 academic year if I could not pursue my other love teaching students in the classroom and in less formal one-on-one situations. At KU, I am devoting most of my teaching efforts to courses in stream ecology, freshwater invertebrates, and readings in aquatic ecology, but I also occasionally offer field trip classes in marine biology (typically in the Caribbean). I am always on the look-out for dedicated undergraduate researchers and graduate students (Masters and Ph.D. candidates) who have a strong and long-standing interest in ecology, who seek a scientifically-linked career, and who are not afraid of hard work!
