He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Washington, Wash, USA, in 1995. He teaches introductory courses in biology and advanced courses in botany and ecology. His research is in the field of plant ecology. Presently, he is researching nonnative species impacts on plant communities, particularly garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed. He also conducts research in local wetlands involving succession and seedling establishment. Previously, he worked on Mount St. Helens studying primary succession and in southern Arizona on the endangered species Huachuca water umbel. He also writes management plans for nature preserves. Biography Updated on 25 December 2011