UT Tyler Professor Recognized for Outstanding Contributions
Posted/updated on: May 18, 2013 at 8:03 am
TYLER — A professor of biology at The University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Neil Ford, is the first recipient of the UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Award. Created this year, the award recognizes outstanding teaching and research contributions to the college and UT Tyler.
Professor Ford has demonstrated extraordinary professional contributions during the more than three decades he has been a member of the biology faculty at UT Tyler, said Dr. Martin Slann, college dean. He has worked and collaborated with outstanding UT Tyler students and jointly published in scholarly professional outlets. His classes are always full and always in demand. He is also regarded by his colleagues with the utmost respect and affection, Slann added. Ford has served UT Tyler since 1979. His research expertise is in life-history evolution. He has been examining the life history and behavior of snakes and freshwater mussels and their respected habitats since the 1990s.
Ford has been conducting mussel surveys in East Texas since 1994. In 1989, he established UT Tylers snake research colony. His recent research efforts have brought externally funded grants totaling almost $500,000, with collaborations alongside such entities as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. His honors include 2000-03 Mary John and Ralph Spence Distinguished Professorship, the 2003 UT Tyler Presidents Scholarly Achievement Award and Elected Fellow of the Texas Academy of Science.
Ford holds a master of science in zoology from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in zoology from Miami University in Ohio.
