Michael E. Dorcas

Michael E. Dorcas, Ph.D.

Short Biographical Sketch - 2016

Mike Dorcas received a B.S. (1986) and M.S. (1990) from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Ph.D. from Idaho State University in 1995. Mike is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has received numerous awards, including the Senior Research Award from the Association of Southeastern Biologists in 2007 and 2012, Meritorious Teaching Award at the World Congress of Herpetology Biologists in 2012, and the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) in 2014. Mike’s research program is interdisciplinary in nature and relies heavily on collaboration with others including former students. Mike has published more than 20 book chapters and over 100 articles on the biology of amphibians and reptiles. He is involved in numerous research projects including studies of invasive Burmese pythons in Florida, the effects of urbanization on amphibians and reptiles, and the ecology and conservation of diamondback terrapins in South Carolina. He frequently gives talks about his research to the public and in academic settings. He has published eight books, including "Invasive Pythons in the United States" with J.D. Willson and "Snakes of the Southeast" with Whit Gibbons.