The Department of Biology at Southern Arkansas University is excited to announce the hiring of Dr. Rory Carroll, a wildlife ecologist, to oversee the Wildlife and Conservation Biology program. Carroll will serve as an Assistant Professor of Biology, advising students interested in wildlife biology and teaching classes such as ecology, natural resources policy and administration, conservation genetics and mammalogy.
“Dr. Carroll brings a broad range of expertise to SAU,” said Dr. Abe Tucker, chair of the biology department. “He looks forward to expanding the Wildlife and Conservation Biology program and getting students involved with his research on the effects of human activity on the ecological landscape, especially mammal species.”
Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Carroll earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Earth and Environmental Science at the University of New Hampshire in May 2019, and his B.S. in Biology from SUNY Plattsburgh with minors in chemistry and ecology in 2013.
While in New Hampshire, Carroll studied the ecology of bobcats throughout New England. His work on the population genetics of bobcats was recently published in the journal Conservation Genetics. He presented this and other work on the diet and stress levels of bobcats at various international and national scientific conferences including The Wildlife Society, Society for Conservation Biology, and the European Congress of Mammalogy.
Carroll has a broad background in biology, ecology, chemistry, and even theatre. One of his favorite roles was playing Brick in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on Hot Tin Roof. While a graduate student, Carroll was also involved in community science outreach by helping run a Mobile Carnivore Ecology Lab for K-12 students in the Maine and New Hampshire region.
Carroll is excited to join the SAU family and join a thriving department with unique opportunities to teach and conduct research. “Having lived most of my life in the northeast, I am enthusiastic about working with students in the diverse ecosystems of Arkansas with its unique flora and fauna.” He will serve as the faculty sponsor for the SAU Fish and Wildlife Club.
