Carol Brewer

Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Professor of Biological Sciences

At the University of Montana (UM), my lab group is actively involved in basic research in plant biology, as well as science education and I mentor graduate students and post doctoral fellows in both areas. Currently at UM I serve as the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

B.A. Biology, California State University, Fullerton, 1981

B.S. Science Education, University of Wyoming, 1985

M.S. Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1986

       Ph.D. Botany, University of Wyoming, 1993

My research program in science education stems from the belief that acquisition of knowledge alone will not be sufficient for improving scientific literacy unless such knowledge is disseminated and applied effectively. To improve science literacy, we need improved methods for training future scientists, teachers and the lay public.  Moreover, understanding the nature of the connections between teaching and learning requires further exploration and consideration. 

Recent and on-going projects in my laboratory include facilitating collaborations between scientists and teachers, training teachers to use their schoolyards for leading ecological investigations with their students (http://www.bioed.org/ecos/), exploring new methods for teaching science to undergraduates, and using new assessment strategies to clearly connect teaching and learning.

My research program in physiological ecology has two main foci: 1) functional plant morphology – particularly at the leaf level, and 2) conservation biology of temperate forests in southern South America.  In Patagonian Argentina and Chile, we have on-going studies on the structure and function of Nothofagus pumilio and Austrocedrus chilensus forests.  Current research focuses on physiological ecology, regeneration after disturbance, and the influence of nonnative species (particularly conifers).

Plant Physiological Ecology and Ecology Education

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

American Institute of Biological Sciences (life member)

Ecological Society of America (life member)

Society for Conservation Biology

CURRENT BOARDS AND ADVISORY COUNCILS

Governing Board of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (Jan 08 – present)

National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Board of Directors (Dec 05 – present)

Biomimicry Institute, Board of Directors (Jan 07 – present)

Earth and Sky Radio Series Executive Advisory Board (Sept 06 – present)

Long Term Ecological Research Network National Advisory Board (May 06 – present)

Global Lakes Environmental Observatory Network  RCN Advisory Committee (Fall 06 – present)

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Editorial Board (Dec 05 – present)

Conservation Biology, Associate Editor (Jan 01 – present)

Teaching Issues and Experiments in Ecology Advisory Board (Aug 01 – present)

Earth Day Earth Hero in Western Montana, 2003

Senior Ecologist Certification, Ecological Society of America, since 2000

Fulbright Senior Scholar Award, Argentina, 1998

Brewer, C.A., A. Berkowitz, P. Conrad, J. Patz, J. Porter, and M. Waterman. 2008. Educating about the ecology of infectious diseases. In, Ostfeld, R.S., F. Keesing, and V.T. Eviner, eds.  Infectious disease ecology: effects of ecosystems on disease and of disease on ecosystems.  Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. pp. 448-466.

 Chapin, F. S. III, V. T. Eviner, L. M. Talbot, B. A. Wilcox, D. R. Magness, C.A. Brewer, and D. S. Keebler, 2008. Disease Effects on Landscape and Regional Systems: A Resilience Framework.  In, Ostfeld, R.S., F. Keesing, and V.T. Eviner, eds.  Infectious disease ecology: effects of ecosystems on disease and of disease on ecosystems.  Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. pp 284 – 303.

 Premoli, A., and C.A. Brewer. 2007. Environmental v. genetically driven variation in ecophysiological traits of Nothofagus pumilio from contrasting elevations. Australian Journal of Botany 55:585–591.

 Hanson, P.C., P. Arzberger, B. Benson, C.A. Brewer, C. Carey, J. Cole, D. Hamilton, F-P Lin, T. Kratz and K. Weathers: Guest Editorial.  2007.  A grassroots approach to sensor and science networks.  Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 5:343.

 Brewer, C.A., and C. I. Nuñez. 2007. Patterns of leaf wettability along an extreme moisture gradient in western Patagonia, Argentina. International Journal of Plant Sciences 168:555-562.

 Brewer, C.A. 2006.  Translating data into meaning: education in Conservation Biology. Conservation Biology 20:689-691.

 Cooperman, M. S. and C.A. Brewer. 2005. Relationship between plant distribution patterns and the process of river island formation. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 20:487-501.

  Berkowitz, A., M. Ford, and C.A. Brewer. 2005. A framework for integrating ecological literacy, civics literacy and environmental citizenship in environmental education.  In, Johnson, E.A. and M.J. Mappin (eds.), Environmental Education or Advocacy: Perspectives of Ecology and Education in Environmental Education. Cambridge University Press. New York. pp 227-266.

 Brewer, C.A. and D. Maki.  2005.  Building the Renaissance team. In, Steen, L.A.  (ed.), Math & Bio 2010: Linking Undergraduate Disciplines. The Mathematical Association of America (Washington, DC). pp 45 – 50.

 Brewer, C.A. 2004. Near real - time assessment of student learning and understanding in biology courses. BioScience 54:1034-1039.

 Blank, L. and C.A. Brewer, et al. 2003. Ecology education when no child is left behind.  Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 1:383-390.

 Brewer, C.A. and L.J. Gross.  2003. Training ecologists to think with uncertainty in mind.  Ecology. 84:1412-1414. 

 Brewer, C.A.  2003.  Computers in the Classroom – How information technology can improve conservation education.  Conservation Biology 17:657-660.  

 Brewer, C.A. 2002.  Conservation education partnerships in schoolyard laboratories: a call back to action.  Conservation Biology 16:577-579.

 Schreuder,  M.D.J., L.W.A. van Hove, and C.A. Brewer.  2001.  Effects of ozone exposure on leaf wettability and cuticular transpiration of Poplar spp. and Pseudotsuga menziesii foliage. New Phytologist 152:443-454.

 Brewer, C.A.  2001. Cultivating conservation literacy: “trickle down” education is not enough.  Conservation Biology  15:1203-1205. 

 Schreuder, M., C.A. Brewer, and C. Heine. 2001. Modeled influences of non-exchanging trichomes on leaf boundary layers and gas exchange. Journal of Theoretical Biology 210:23-32.

 Schreuder, M.D.J. and C.A. Brewer. 2001.  Effects of short-term, high exposure to chlorine gas on morphology and physiology of Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii.  Annals of Botany 88:187-195.

 Schreuder, M.D.J. and C.A. Brewer. 2001.  Persistent  effects of short-term, high exposure to chlorine gas on physiology and growth of Pinus ponderosa and Pseudotsuga menziesii.   Annals of Botany 88:197-206.