Don Mansfield, DA

Professor of Biology

Contact:: dmansfield@collegeofidaho.edu

208-459-5287
Expertise:: Botany, plant systematics, plant physiology

Education

D. A. Biology, Idaho State University

M. Sc. Botany, University of British Columbia

B.A. Biology, The Colorado College

Professional Experience

The College of Idaho, Professor of Biology (1989-)

Rollins College, Assistant Professor of Biology (1984-1989)

The Colorado College, Visiting Assistant Professor (1981-1984)

University of California, Davis, Postdoctoral Research Associate (1979-1981)

Personal Statement

Professor Mansfield has been at The College of Idaho since 1989. He teaches organismal biology, environmental science, field botany, plant physiology, and a course about plants and people entitled Murder, Medicine and Magic. His scholarly interests include the distributions of plants in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon and the biology of rare plants. He has ongoing collaborative research projects in which students study the morphologic, ecologic, and genetic variation of plants in southern Idaho to clarify taxonomic and evolutionary relationships. In these projects, students undertake scientific research at a meaningful, often publishable level. Recently Dr. Mansfield received a National Science Foundation grant to provide funds for student internships to image and database all 42,000 specimens of the College’s Herbarium—one of the premier plant “libraries” for southwestern Idaho and surroundings.

Dr. Mansfield has led several student trips sponsored by the biology department to Death Valley, the Oregon coast, the Owyhee River and desert, Boise mountains, Boise River, Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, southwest Idaho organic farms, Australia, Costa Rica and Hawaii. He believes these trips contribute to learning by allowing students to gain hands-on experience with plants, animals, and biotic systems in their natural settings. He is currently writing a flora of the Owyhee region of southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon.

What Mansfield appreciates most about teaching at The College of Idaho is interacting with motivated, inquisitive students.

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Don Mansfield, DA

Education

Professional Experience