Kathryn Riley

Kathryn Riley serves as an Associate Professor of Biology at Pfeiffer University, where she conducts research and teaches courses in biological sciences. Her contact information includes phone (704-463-3302) and email (kathryn.riley@pfeiffer.edu), confirming active institutional affiliation.

Having graduated from Pfeiffer University in 1969, Dr. Riley maintains a lifelong connection to the institution. Her educational trajectory established foundations for specialized research in forest entomology and ecological monitoring systems across diverse biomes.

Dr. Riley's research centers on carabid beetles as bioindicators, examining biodiversity responses to forest age, flooding regimes, and anthropogenic disturbances. Her fieldwork spans Amazonian rainforests in Ecuador and Piedmont forests of North Carolina, integrating tropical and temperate ecosystem comparisons. Key methodologies include comparative sampling techniques and community composition analysis.

Publication trends reveal consistent focus on carabid beetle ecology since 2010, with increasing emphasis on conservation applications. Recent works document rare species like Rhadine caudata while analyzing habitat-specific community structures. Her 2021 tribute to Terry Erwin highlights contributions to entomological legacy and mentorship traditions.