Author & Ecologist
According to many textbooks, an ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms interacting with each other and the nonliving components of their environment. Whenever I introduce this concept to students, I ask them to consider what is meant by "living" and "nonliving." Common examples of "nonliving" parts of an ecosystem include air (oxygen, carbon... Continue Reading →
About four months ago, this lovely photo by Joe Neely of Diadasia bees sleeping together in a flower appeared on Bored Panda and promptly went viral. Based on my experience as a biologist, I concluded at once these individuals were two adult females, perhaps sisters, cuddled for warmth as they were sleeping. Recently, it occurred to me others... Continue Reading →
While trying to process the massacres this past weekend in El Paso and Dayton, I was reminded by a friend, colleague, and Tribal Elder of the importance of prayer in our life's journey. I'm keenly aware that in recent years, "thoughts and prayers" have become synonymous with political inaction. Yet for many of us, spiritual... Continue Reading →
I recently started LATINX by Ed Morales, and I must take a moment to recommend this very insightful and moving book. LATINX examines the history of and interface between social constructs of race in Latin America and social constructs of race in the United States, as well as the implications for our common future. I didn't realize how... Continue Reading →
Last fall, I wrote in a bee update that about 40% of our 2018 summer bee collection belonged to one species of small, metallic green bee: Augochlora pura. Turns out I was wrong. With a little more experience and a fresh look at our collection, I've been able to determine that of the 70-some-odd bees I... Continue Reading →
We got off to a sad start this semester with the passing of our dean at the College of Science and Health, Dr. Larry Garrison Sullivan. Larry's death was unexpected and came just a few days before the start of classes. He had served Avila University for 47 years and was my dean and supervisor... Continue Reading →
In the summer of 2014, I co-coordinated the Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (NAPIRE) Program. Funded by NSF and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, NAPIRE was designed to encouraging undergraduate Native American and Pacific Islander students to pursue careers in science. The program brought together undergraduate students from Tribal Nations and... Continue Reading →
We're well into classes at Avila, but in quiet moments I still reflect on my summer trip to Germany and all the things I learned and saw traveling the country with my family; visiting the stomping grounds of relatives and ancestors. I've long been fascinated by family histories, a habit instilled in me no doubt... Continue Reading →
Every year around this time, I look at my August calendar and say, "Who are you, and what have you done with my summer?" Classes start at Avila this week. Wait, what? Classes start this week?? Why does time always takes us by surprise? I once read a theologian who argued this was evidence of... Continue Reading →
