ALLENDALE, Mich.--The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant of $158,152 to Grand Valley State University for an Arctic research project by Assistant Professor Robert Hollister.
Hollister, from the university's Biology Department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is studying the effects of global warming on tundra vegetation in the Arctic. His work is in association with International Tundra Experiment, a network of researchers doing similar work throughout the polar and alpine regions of the world.
"I look forward to taking students to the Arctic and involving them in the scientific process examining the impacts of climate change," said Hollister.
Global change biology and wetland ecology are only two areas of Hollister's research and teaching interests. He earned three degrees from Michigan State University: a bachelor's degree in zoology with honor in 1994, a master's degree in botany and plant biology in 1998, and a doctorate in plant biology/ecology, evolutionary biology and behavior in 2003. He came to Grand Valley in 2004.
"Bob's research will provide excellent opportunities for our students and meaningful insights into a problem of significant global concern," said Shaily Menon, Biology Department chair.
The research is also in association with International Polar Year, a scientific program organized through the International Council for Science and the World Meteorological Organization. The program will focus on the Arctic and Antarctic from March 2007-09, involving more than 200 projects with thousands of scientists from more than 60 nations. It is also an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate, follow and become involved with cutting edge science in real-time.
Grand Valley State University attracts more than 22,000 students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Grand Valley is the comprehensive regional university for the Michigan's second largest metropolitan area and offers 69 undergraduate and 25 graduate degree programs. It has campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids, and Holland and centers in Muskegon and Traverse City. The university is dedicated to individual student achievement, going beyond the traditional classroom experience, with research opportunities and business partnerships.
