Dr. Brian C. Reeder has the distinction of having earned all three of MSU’s outstanding faculty awards: teaching, research, and service. Dr. Reeder received is Ph.D. in Environmental Biology from the Ohio State University, MA in Biology (Psychology Minor) from Marshall University, and B.S. in Biology (Chemistry minor) from Youngstown State University. For the past 18 years he has been trying to determine why Kentuckians prefer basketball to football.

Dr. Reeder primarily teaches courses in the Department of Biology’s Environmental Science Program, including Wetland Ecology and Management, Limnology, Ecology, Introduction to Environmental Science, and Environmental Education. He is well known for his dynamic and interactive lecture style, engaging labs, and distinct laughter. One of the founders of IRAPP, he strongly supports students getting multidisciplinary training. Human problems are multidimensional, and involve complex interactions. Students need a foundation in mathematics, science, social and political theory, geography, and economics, if they are to successful solve future problems. If you are not sure what to major in, Dr. Reeder will always tell you to start in Mathematics.

Like all good teachers, Dr. Reeder has a depth of knowledge in the courses he teaches. He has been awarded over 4 million dollars in research grants by various agencies, including the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USEPA, US Forest Service, and Department of Education. His current research involves assessing primary production in wetlands, ecology and management of reservoirs and hatchery ponds, and regional river investigations, including impacts of non-point pollution, and the efficiency of sewage upgrades, and tracking pollutant sources. Dr. Reeder has published over 30 scholarly articles and book chapters, over 50 abstracts, and given over 60 scholarly presentations.

Dr. Reeder is active in undergraduate and graduate research—he has mentored over a hundred graduate and undergraduate students. He enjoys getting students involved in field research, and helping them gain the skills and confidence they need to go on to successful careers or graduate programs. His students have gone on to be successful in prestigious Ph.D. programs, as well and in environmental consulting and management.