Rick Boyd

Rick Boyd is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. He combines his expertise in science education with conservation efforts for tropical frogs through his personal 'frog room' lab and the Rainforest Rick Educational Blog.

Education:

• BA in Zoology from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
• MEd from National Louis University, Chicago

His research focuses on captive breeding techniques for critically endangered frogs, particularly Granulosa glass frogs and Dendropsophus arndti, aiming to alleviate pressure on wild populations via 'Conservation through Commercialization.' He has improved tadpole survival rates from 4% to 88% and pioneered artificial rain chamber cycles for ovulation stimulation.

Teaching: Courses include Earth and Environmental Physics (PHYS 1009) and Major Concepts in Modern Science 2 (ARSC 1021), where he integrates frog biology, physics of light, and biogeochemical cycles into lectures.

Media & Recognition:

• CBS 58 Sunday Morning News feature on tropical frogs
• Marquette Today and Marquette Wire coverage of his 'frog-ject' initiatives
• 60 Second Marquette video highlighting his work

Rick collaborates with students on educational trips, such as a 2024 immersion experience in Puerto Rico to study El Coqui frogs, and operates a 501(c)(3) non-profit for experiential science education.