معرفی
Paul Pickhardt, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biology at Lakeland University since 2006 and former Natural Sciences Division Chair (2012–2016). He holds a Ph.D. from Dartmouth College and a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on aquatic ecotoxicology, particularly mercury contamination in freshwater ecosystems and algal biofuel development through collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He co-founded Lakeland's tropical biology program in Belize with Dr. Greg Smith.
Dr. Pickhardt leads the Lakeland Undergraduate Research Experience (LURE), which has produced graduates pursuing doctoral studies at institutions like Michigan Tech and UNC-Chapel Hill. His work emphasizes trace element impacts on aquatic food webs, with notable contributions to understanding mercury bioaccumulation mechanisms and eutrophication effects. He actively engages in environmental advocacy, including climate change initiatives like Focus the Nation and serves on the Ellwood H. May Environmental Park advisory board.
- Awards: 2011 Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
- Research Partnerships: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Belize Tropical Biology Program
- Community Engagement: ThinkHaus alternative energy discussions, environmental park advisory roles
