Richard Stevens, a noted quantitative ecologist who'll focus on spatial ecology and conservation, has been named an associate professor in Texas Tech University's Department of Natural Resources Management, according to officials within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He officially stepped into his new teaching and research post on Jan. 1.

The San Antonio native indicated that he is particularly interested in the statistical analysis of natural assemblages of plants and animals to gain insights into environmental gradients that are responsible for variation in biodiversity.  Such information is crucial for development of effective management practices, as well as for informing successful conservation strategies.

One of his primary goals here at Tech is to carry out research on the community ecology, biogeography and conservation of bats and small terrestrial mammals, particularly in the American southwest and the Neotropics.

Prior to joining the Tech faculty, Stevens worked as an associate professor with Louisiana State University's Department of Biological Sciences and an adjunct professor with Mississippi State University's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He also worked as an assistant professor with LSU's Department of Biological Sciences; and served as a postdoctoral fellow with the University of California-Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.

Among his honors are serving as a member of the American Society of Mammalogists' Board of Directors (2009-2011, 2012-2014); and associate editor of the Journal of Mammalogy (2009-Present). He is also subject editor for the journal Oikos.  Awards for Stevens include the American Society of Mammalogists Award (2001); Wilks Award from the Southwestern Association of Naturalists (1999); and Research Fellow with Texas Tech's Institute of Environmental Sciences (1992-1994).

He received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in biology from Texas Tech. He is a member of Ecological Society of America, American Society of Mammalogists, North American Symposium on Bat Research, Texas Society of Mammalogists and the Southwestern Association of Naturalists.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Mark Wallace, Chairman, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2841, mark.wallace@ttu.edu

0122NM14