Faculty

Thomas Dietz is a professor of Sociology and Environmental Science and Policy (ESPP) and  assistant vice president for environmental research at Michigan State University. He holds a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor of general studies from Kent State University.

My interests include understanding the influence of landscape features and processes on aquatic organisms and quantifying the mechanisms by which that influence occurs.  My experience examining hierarchical relationships between landscape factors and stream ecosystem variables includes the study of indirect landscape controls on Michigan fish assemblages through effects on stream channel shape as well as a comprehensive study of landscape effects on fish and macroinvertebrates through multiple measures of physical habitat in stream catchments of southeast Michigan.&nbsp

Frank has a joint appointment in the Agricultural Economics and Fisheries and Wildlife Departments. He is a member of the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management. His recent research focuses on modeling Michigan fish and wildlife resource demand and value.

Bill McConnell is associate director of the MSU Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability. He came to MSU from Indiana University, where he helped coordinate a network of global-change scientists focusing on land use and land-cover change. This broad perspective on global issues is balanced by his research and engagement on sustainability at the local level in the United States as well as in Africa and, more recently, in China.

In 2011,  Moran delivered the Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture "Rethinking Human-Environment Interactions." He also received an honorary degree from MSU.

Sue Nichols, who handles strategic communication and outreach, has 19 years of experience in science communication.  

She tries to do this without using big, scary words to spread the word of science to the biggest possible audience. She also shows diverse audiences how fascinating – and fun – science can be, and how crucial it is to transform good science into good policy.

Rey teaches  Advocacy in the Natural Resources Arena (ANR 491), which reviews the types of advocacy groups operating in the natural resources arena, tools and techniques used in environmental advocacy, tactics commonly used in advocacy campaigns and ethical questions that often arise during advocacy work.

Bill Taylor joined Michigan State University in 1980 and is currently a University Distinguished Professor in Global Fisheries Systems in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He is an internationally recognized expert in Great Lakes fisheries ecology, population dynamics, governance, and management. Throughout his career, Taylor has been active in the American Fisheries Society, serving as president of the society, the Michigan Chapter, and the North Central Division. Currently, he holds a U.S. Presidential appointment as a U.S.