Buies Creek, N.C.-Dr. Michael Larsen, longtime environmentalist and associate professor of science at Campbell University, has been named chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, effective fall 2008.Larsen received a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, a Master’s of Science degree in ecology from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in zoology from North Carolina State University. A decorated Army officer (retired Colonel) with over 30 years of military service, Larsen served as the commander of the 171st Area Support Group, a Brigade-level Logistical Support group in An Nasiriyah, Iraq from 2003-2004.He came to Campbell in 1995 as an assistant professor of Biological Sciences and coordinator of the Environmental Sciences program after having served as a post-doctoral research associate at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory in the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology at North Carolina State University. Larsen also serves as a faculty advisor to the Walker Biology Club, and he conducts and coordinates field and laboratory research in freshwater and estuarine aquatic ecosystems. His on-going research involves freshwater zooplankton communities in Piedmont North Carolina reservoirs; the impact of toxic micro algae on fish populations in the lower Neuse River; the detrimental effects of agricultural (livestock waste) spills on fish and associated aquatic ecosystems in North Carolina rivers and coastal estuaries; and water quality management issues in the Middle Cape Fear River basin (Harnett, Cumberland and Bladen counties). His research has been published in the “Journal of Environmental Quality”, the “Journal of Plankton Research”, and “Lake and Reservoir Management.”
Larsen named chair of the department of Biological and Environmental Sciences