Core faculty

Dr. Cynthia Dott

Dr. Cynthia Dott
Professor of Biology

Expertise 

  • Ecology and dynamics of river systems
  • Riparian/floodplain forest habitat
  • Riparian vegetation response to changing hydrology, geomorphology and disturbance regimes
  • Links between vegetation and disturbance history
  • Aquatic ecology
  • Scientific teaching and cooperative learning methodology in the classroom

Education 

  • Ph.D., Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1996 
  • Master of Science, Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990 
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology, The Colorado College, 1985 

Contact:

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Media Contact

Our faculty are available to comment on topics related to areas of interest or expertise. If you need further assistance, call Media Relations at 970-247-6073 or email Media Relations.


About Dr. Cynthia Dott

Cynthia Dott is a professor in the Department of Biology and an affiliate faculty member in the Environmental Studies program at Fort Lewis College. She joined the college in 2001. Dr. Dott researches plant community ecology and has worked extensively on the Colorado Plateau and in the southern Rocky and San Juan Mountains. Specifically, she studies groundwater and surface hydrology and floodplain forests on the Dolores and Animas Rivers as well as riparian community dynamics and their interactions with geomorphic processes, interactions between riparian community structure and changes in natural disturbance regimes, impacts of changing climate on disturbance regimes and more.

Dr. Dott mentors student researchers in the areas of aquatic ecology and changes in riparian vegetation structure as a result of changing hydrology and sediment aggradation. She has consulted for regional organizations as an ecologist, evaluating proposed reservoir release guidelines for the restoration and maintenance of native vegetation on area rivers, environmental conditions on regulated rivers, and the impacts of invasive species, among other projects.  
 
Dr. Dott is a member of several professional associations, including the International Society for River Science, the Ecological Society of America, the Nature Conservancy and Sigma Xi. Outside of Fort Lewis, she works with the Dolores River Restoration Partnership, the Tamarisk Coalition and the Mountain Studies Institute. She is also committee chair of the Common Reading Experience for Fort Lewis College.


Selected Publications and Presentations

“Dynamics and History of Russian Olive Invasion on the San Juan River, Southeastern Utah,” Tamarisk Coalition Research and Management Conference, 2015

“Temporal and spatial variation in floodplain aquifers and riparian vegetation on the regulated Dolores River, southwest Colorado, USA,” River Research and Applications, Under review (with Gary Gianniny)

“The effects of Lake Powell on sediment aggradation in the lower reaches of the San Juan River,” in Geology of Utah’s Far South, Utah Geological Association Publication, 2014 (with Gary Gianniny)

Variable response of willow and cottonwood to the hydrology of river regulation in southwestern Colorado,” Tamarisk Coalition 2014 Research & Management Conference (with Gary Gianniny)

“Willows, cottonwoods and hydrology: variations on a theme in southwestern Colorado,” 12th Biennial Conference of Research on the Colorado Plateau, 2013 (with Gary Gianniny)

“Riparian vegetation structure and floodplain hydrology on dammed vs. undammed rivers: Dolores and Animas Rivers, SW Colorado,” Ecological Society of America 98th Annual Meeting, 2013

"Evaluation of proposed reservoir release guidelines for maintenance and restoration of native riparian vegetation:  Dolores River below McPhee Dam, Big Gypsum Valley Reach," report to the Dolores River Implementation Team & Dolores Water Conservancy District, 2012


In the media

Professor of Biology Cynthia Dott was interviewed by KSJD about the effects of high water releases from McPhee Reservoir on riparian health on the Dolores River.

Affiliate faculty

Dr. Ruth Alminas
Chair/Associate Professor of Political Science

Interests

  • Armed Conflict and Conflict Management
  • Internal Displacement
  • Nongovernmental Organizations
  • Organizational Theory
  • Social Network Analysis

Education

  • Ph.D., Political Science, University of Arizona, 2012
  • M.A., Political Science, University of Arizona, 2008
  • M.A., Religion, University of Chicago Divinity School, 2005
  • B.A., Religious Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2000

Contact:

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Dr. Keri Brandt Off
Professor of Sociology & Gender & Sexuality Studies

Expertise

  • Social Theory
  • Relations between humans and the more-than-human world
  • Regenerative Food Systems
  • Gender & Sexuality Studies

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Colorado, 2005
  • B.A., Fort Lewis College, 1995

Contact:

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Dr. Rebecca Clausen
Professor of Sociology & Human Services

Expertise

  • Environmental Sociology
  • Human Ecology
  • Global Food Systems
  • Political Economy

Education

  • Ph.D., Sociology, University of Oregon, 2008
  • M.S., Environmental Studies, University of Oregon, 2003
  • B.S., Natural Resource Management, Conservation Ecology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 1999

Contact:

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Dr. Callie Cole
Associate Professor of Chemistry

Expertise

  • Analytical Chemistry (Mass Spectrometry, Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, and Chromatography)
  • Astrochemistry
  • Chemical Education
  • Science Communication & Community Engagement

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2015
  • B.S., University of Montana, 2010
     

Contact:

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Dr. Cynthia Dott
Professor of Biology

Expertise 

  • Ecology and dynamics of river systems
  • Riparian/floodplain forest habitat
  • Riparian vegetation response to changing hydrology, geomorphology and disturbance regimes
  • Links between vegetation and disturbance history
  • Aquatic ecology
  • Scientific teaching and cooperative learning methodology in the classroom

Education 

  • Ph.D., Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1996 
  • Master of Science, Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990 
  • Bachelor of Arts, Biology, The Colorado College, 1985 

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-7322
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Dr. Janine Fitzgerald
Professor of Sociology & Human Services

Areas of expertise

  • Borders and languages
  • Narrative medicine
  • Village aid to Latin America

Education

  • Ph.D., Sociology, The University of New Mexico, 1996
  • M.A., Latin American Studies, The University of New Mexico, 1990
  • B.A., Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1987

Contact:

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Dr. Gary Gianniny
Professor of Geosciences

Expertise:

  • Climatic vs. intrinsic controls on sedimentation in icehouse conditions
  • Sequence stratigraphy for aquifer and reservoir characterization and prediction
  • Tectonics and sedimentation in the southwestern U.S.

Education:

  • Ph.D., Geology, University of Wisconsin, 1995
  • Master of Science, Geology, University of Wisconsin, 1990
  • Bachelor of Arts, Geology, Colorado College, 1983

Contact:

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Dr. Andrew Gulliford
Professor of History & Environmental Studies

Expertise:

  • Public History
  • History of the American West
  • Environmental History
  • Native American History
  • Museums & Historic Preservation
  • American Wilderness
  • History of American National Parks

Education:

  • Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 1986
  • M.A.T., The Colorado College, 1976
  • B.A., The Colorado College, 1975

Contact:

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Dr. Larry Hartsfield
Professor of English

Expertise

  • American literature
  • Ecocritical theory
  • Literary and media theory
  • Literature of the environment
  • Media studies
  • Mid-19th to early 20th century American cultural history
  • Popular culture
  • Shakespeare

Education

  • Ph.D., American Civilization, University of Texas at Austin, 1982
  • M.A., English, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1976
  • B.A., English, Abilene Christian University, 1974

Contact:

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Dr. Jake Kurzweil
Adjunct Instructor of Environment and Sustainability

Interests: 

  • Watershed hydrology
  • Snow science
  • Fire ecology
  • Remote sensing
  • Process-based restoration
  • STEM education
  • Backcountry snowboarding 
  • Mountain biking
  • Playing the banjo

Education:

  • B.S., Cum Laude, Environmental Science and Sociology, University of Oregon, 2012
  • M.S., Hydrology, Colorado School of Mines, 2018
  • Ph.D., Hydrology, Colorado School of Mines, 2021

Contact:

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Dr. Lorraine Taylor
Associate Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Expertise 

  • Hospitality management 
  • Sustainable tourism  
  • Travel motivations and behavior 

Education 

  • Ph.D., Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, 2014 
  • M.S., Advertising, University of Illinois, 2003 
  • B.S., Advertising, University of Illinois, 2002 

Contact:

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Elicia Whittlesey
Adjunct Instructor of Environment & Sustainability

Areas of expertise

  • Food & farming systems
  • Political ecology

Education

  • Master of Arts, Geography, University of Minnesota, 2010
  • Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Analysis, Pomona College, 2007

Contact:

Phone Icon 970-247-6345
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