H. Bruce Rinker

H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D., is a distinguished ecologist, science educator, and explorer. He leads expeditions around the world, especially the tropics, and often speaks to local, regional, and international audiences about science and conservation issues.

A visit to Dr. Rinker’s office — a miniature museum of art and natural history artifacts he has collected throughout his career — reveals the many interests of this scientist and science educator. A formal portrait of Darwin hovers above lion and alligator skulls; a stuffed Amazonian oropendola nests in the window; goliath African beetles share shelf space with a lacquered piranha; a Mayan batik tapestry hangs over a door. One can’t help but wish to travel the world with Dr. Rinker.

Dr. Rinker is a National Fellow of The Explorers Club, a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences, and a Switzer Environmental Fellow. He is also the science advisor for Sustenta.com and Reforestamos and a member of the board of directors for Naturalia, all based in México City, as well as a member of the research board for the Amazon Conservatory of Tropical Studies (Iquitos, Peru). He is co-editor and contributor to "Forest Canopies" (2004, Elsevier Press) and "Gaia in Turmoil: Climate Change, Biodepletion, and Earth Ethics in an Age of Crisis" (2010, MIT Press). His scientific expeditions include sites in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. He has participated twice on the French-sponsored international "Radeau des Cimes" mission (Cameroon and French Guiana).

Dr. Rinker has received numerous science education awards including "Outstanding Science Teacher" (Science Teachers Association of New York State), "Outstanding Biology Teacher" (National Association of Biology Teachers), and the "Environmental Education Award" from the County of Sarasota, Florida.

More details may be found at www.facebook.com/hbrucerinker and http://theroanokestar.com/?s=h.+bruce+rinker.