Programs By College

Dr. William Edwards

Assistant Professor

Email:  wje@niagara.edu
Phone:  716.286.8251

Bio

Dr. Edwards joined the faculty in 2002. He obtained a PhD. from the Ohio State University Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology. His dissertation was on the "Impacts of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) on large lakes: influence of vertical turbulent mixing." His other degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with Honors in the Liberal Arts, in 1996, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, with Honors, in 1996.

He has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Service to Students Recognition Award in 2005 from the Niagara University Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs. Also the Fellow, Collegium summer colloquy in 2004 from the Association of Catholic Universities. Portland, Ore. Others include the Beta Beta Beta National Honorary in biology, Osburn Research Fellowship, and the American Fisheries Society-Best Research and Surveys Project of 2000.

Dr. Edwards belongs to the Rochester Academy of Science, Council on Undergraduate Research, International Association for Great Lakes Research, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, and the American Geophysical Union.

He teaches courses at Niagara that include Introduction to Biology, Ecology, Biometrics, and many Special Topics courses.

Dr. Edwards' research interests include the Lake Erie hypoxia problem, zebra mussel excretion and links to eutrophication, and toxins in the Niagara River tributaries. His current research is with the Great Lakes Trophic Status project (USEPA) aboard the Lake Guardian.; This research deals with physical and chemical limnology, focusing on the interactions of physical water movements, invasive species (the zebra mussel) and eutrophication on the Lake Erie"Dead Zone"(hypolimnetic anoxia). Dr. Edwards' areas of specialization include physical limnology, plankton ecology, invasive species, and toxicology.

Recent Presentations

• Pieklo, M., S. Martin, and W.J. Edwards. 2006. The occurrence of coronary artery disease and dioxin contamination in the Niagara River region. Eastern Colleges Science Conference.
• Martin, S, M. Pieklo, and W.J. Edwards. 2006. Sex ratio association with dioxin levels in the Niagara River region. Eastern Colleges Science Conference.
• Blecha, S., S. Percival, and W.J. Edwards. 2006. Algal and nutrient dynamics and hypoxia in central Lake Erie.; Earth Day Colloquium, University at Buffalo.
• Blecha, S., and W.J. Edwards. 2006.; The impact of the invasive Dreissena bugensis on algal and nutrient dynamics in Lake Erie: a mesocosm experiment. Niagara University Undergraduate Research Conference.
• W.J. Edwards. April 2006. The Biological State of Lake Erie. The State of Lake Erie, a summary of current research and problems for NY legislature and executives.
• Conroy, J.D., E.L. Quinlan, M.A. Thomas, D.D. Kane, W.J. Edwards, and D.A. Culver. May 2006. Sandusky subbasin (Lake Erie) hypoxia - causes, development, and consequences. Int. Assoc. Great Lakes Res. conference, Windsor, ON.
• W.J. Edwards, F. Soster, and G. Matisoff. May 2006. Influence of mayfly filtering activity on dissolved oxygen depletion. Int. Assoc. Great Lakes Res. conference, Windsor, ON.
• Kelly, S.Q., S. Rajmaira, and W.J. Edwards. 2005. Using GIS in contaminant trackdown. ESRI conference. San Diego, CA. Summer.
• Pontius, R.A., J.D. Conroy, W.J. Edwards, D.A. Culver. 2005. Excretion by invasive dreissenid mussels: evidence for changes in Lake Erie. American
• Society of Limnology and Oceanography Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT.
• Edwards, W.J. 2005. Analysis of contaminants in Cayuga Creek. Friends of the Buffalo Niagara River sponsored community meeting.