William Hagar

William Hagar is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at UMass Boston. With a career spanning over four decades, he has focused on the intersection of biochemistry and environmental monitoring, particularly studying freshwater ecosystems in Massachusetts.

• PhD in Biology, Temple University (1972)
• BS in Biology, Widener University (1962)

Research Interests include:

• Experimental biochemical reactions in plant protein complexes
• Environmental monitoring of anthropogenic impacts on water systems
• Development of on-site instrumentation for pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration
• Application of stable isotope analysis to study food web structures
• Innovative methyl mercury detection in fish tissue via enzyme-based methods

Recent Publications highlight his work on acid precipitation effects on fish development, stable isotope techniques, and enzyme-based environmental assays. His research often integrates biochemistry with ecological monitoring.

Awards & Grants:

• Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award (2000)
• Fulbright Scholarship (2003)
• NSF Grant #0959666 for Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrophotometer (2009)
• Co-Director of Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Program (2010-2015)

Teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, including courses in Biochemistry, Photobiology, and teacher education. He emphasizes multimedia-assisted pedagogy and computer-aided tutorials.