Abbreviated Curriculum Vita

Ray S . Williams

Full CV available upon request

Education:

1995 Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

1988 Sc.S. in Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

1982 M.S. in Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

1978 B.A. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.

Professional Experience:

2012-Present      Professor Emeritus, Department of Biology, Appalachian State

                      University, Boone, NC.

2009-2022          Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Appalachian State

                    University, Boone, NC.

2018-2022       Graduate Program Director, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

2006-2009         Assistant Chair, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

2003-2009         Associate Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

1997-2004          Assistant Professor of Biology, Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

1995-97              Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, 

                            University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

1995-97              Visiting Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.

1991-95                Department of Energy EPSCoR Program Fellow,  University of

                  South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

1989-90              Instructor of Biology,  Department of Biology, Appalachian State

1986-87              University, Boone, NC.

1987-88             Visiting Instructor of Biological Sciences,  Departments of

                Biological Sciences and Entomology, North Carolina State University,

                 Raleigh, NC.

1988-89            Biological/Forestry Technician,  United States Department of

1984-86            Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Pest Management, Asheville, NC.

1983-84            Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biology, Appalachian

1981-82             State University, Boone, NC.

1979-81             Teaching Assistant in Biology,  Department of Biology, Appalachian

                         State University, Boone, NC.

Teaching Awards:

2021               Meritorious Teach Award- Association of Southeastern Biologists

2013 Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, Appalachian

             State University

2001 Wayne Duncan Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship for

             Teaching in General Education, Appalachian State University

Publications Examples (fourteen peer review total- pdf available upon request):

A.M. Thomas, R.S Williams and R.F. Swarthout. 2019. Distribution of the specialist aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Homoptera: Aphididae) in response to host plant semiochemical induction by the gall fly Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae). Environmental Entomology, 48: 1138-1148.

R.S. Williams and J. M. Howells.  2018.  Effects of intraspecific genetic variation and prior herbivory in an old-field plant on the abundance of the specialist aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum (Hemiptera:Aphididae). Environmental Entomology, 47: 422-431.

 R.S. Williams and M.A. Avakian.  2015.  Colonization of Solidago altissima by the Specialist Aphid

Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum: Effects of Genetic Identity and Leaf Chemistry. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 41: 129-138.

 R.S. Williams, B.S. Marbert, M.C. Fisk and P.J. Hanson.  2014.  Ground-dwelling beetle responses to long-term precipitation alterations in a hardwood forest. Southeastern Naturalist, 13: 138-155.

 S.N. Villalpando, R.S. Williams and R.J. Norby.  2009.  Elevated air temperature alters an old-field insect community in a multi-factor climate change experiment. Global Change Biology, 15: 930-942.

 C.N. Wells, R.S. Williams, G.L. Walker and N.M. Haddad.  2009.  Effects of corridors on genetics of a butterfly in a landscape experiment.  Southeastern Naturalist, 8(4): 709-722.

Grant Funding Examples:

USDA Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team

Biocontrol of Persicaria perfoliata in Alleghany County North Carolina, $62,000 for 2011-2014

 Environmental Protection Agency (Terrestrial Ecology and Global Change)

Diversity and abundance of forest soil arthropods under elevated carbon dioxide.

$332,902 for 1997-2001, Co-PI with Dr. David Lincoln (PI), USC, Columbia, SC

Internal:

Appalachian State University University Research Council and Office of Student Research. $14,000+

Presentations and Student Research Projects:

65 presentations at regional and national meetings as either sole or co-author with students

26 undergraduate research projects, including independent, capstone or honors projects

15 Master’s of Science student projects mentored

Seminar Invitations Examples include at North Carolina State, Clemson, Winthrop Universities and University of South Carolina 

Professional Organizations (active):

Entomological Society of America

The Association of Southeastern Biologists

Community Service Bug Show Examples:

Harden Park, Two Rivers, Valle Crusis, Green Valley, Cove Creek and Parkway Elementary Schools, Watauga County, NC

Johnson County Middle School, TN

Boy Scout Camp Bug Hunters Club, Watauga County, NC

Watauga County Library, Boone NC

Schiele Museum Bugapalooza, Gastonia NC

Appalachian State University Senior Scholars Program, Boone, NC

Boone Garden Club, Boone, NC

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Butterfly Bonanza, Watauga County, NC

Appalachian State University Cultural Museum, Boone, NC

Mountaineer Garden Club, Boone, NC