Chris Walser, PhD

Professor and Chair of Biology Department

Contact:: cwalser@collegeofidaho.edu

208-459-5632
Expertise:: Stream ecology, ichthyology

Education

Ph.D. Biology, Tulane University, 1996

M. S. Fisheries, Auburn University, 1991

B.S. Biology, Emory University, 1989

Professional Experience

The College of Idaho, Professor of Biology (2000-)

Rocky Mountain College, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology (1999-2000)

Salt Lake Community College, Adjunct Instructor of Biology (1996-1999)

Utah State University, Adjunct Instructor of Fisheries and Wildlife Biology (1997)

Brigham Young University, Postdoctoral Research Associate (1997-1999)

Personal Statement

Professor Walser has been at The College of Idaho since 2000. He teaches stream ecology, environmental science, ecological economics, population and ecosystem biology, ichthyology, GIS, and marine ecology. Dr. Walser also teaches the biology senior capstone course which examines, in part, how scientists can become more proficient at communicating the results of their research to the general public. His scholarly interests include using GIS technology to examine the impacts of human-caused disturbances (e.g. invasive species, mining, global climate change) on native stream fishes. He has many opportunities for students to study the life history of native redband trout (and other fishes) in streams along the Boise front as well as more remote areas of the Owyhee River drainage. Recently, Professor Walser and students joined researchers at the University of Idaho to examine the fate of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to Indian Creek, near the College of Idaho campus. In 2011, Professor Walser and former student, Camrin Braun, published a paper on the distribution and diet of invasive largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in the lower Boise River.

Dr. Walser is very active in leading off-campus Field Biology courses. To date, Professor Walser has taken College of Idaho students to south Florida (2009, 2011) and Australia (2002, 2006, 2010), with future courses planned for Belize (Summer Term 2012) and Australia (Winter Term 2013). He is a very strong advocate of “learning through doing” and emphasizes this hands-on approach to learning in all of his courses.

What Professor Walser enjoys the most about teaching at the College of Idaho is getting students excited about field biology. He also appreciates the small-class sizes which allow him to provide unique learning opportunities (e.g., conducting original field biology research; wildlife film-making, etc.) for his students.

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Chris Walser, PhD

Education

Professional Experience