Jeffrey White
General Information
Professor
of Botany
Plant Biogeography & Systematics, Science Education
Phone: (707) 826-5551
Office: Science A 355B
Email: jww12@humboldt.edu
Personal Website: N/A
Academic background
- BA (1984) University of California, Santa Cruz
- California Teaching Credentials (1988) Life Science, Mathematics, and Multiple Subjects. CSU Los Angeles
- PhD (1999) Michigan State University
Courses
- The Biology of Rarity
- Biogeography
- Nature and Practice of Science
- Introduction to Lesson Study
- Teaching Secondary Math and Science
Summary of research
My research interests are in the areas of plant biogeography and systematics. My current work focuses on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of rare plants in the genus Astragalus (Fabacaeae). This work includes testing new methods for quantifying range-sizes at multiple scales, and comparative statistical approaches aimed at elucidating phylogenetic patterns of rarity in the group. I also conduct rare plant monitoring and population level studies aimed at detecting relevant spatial scales of ecological processes affecting populations.
I am also a Director of the Redwood Science Project, and the Science Programs Director of the Northcoast Mathematics and Science Initiative. These projects seeks to enhance the delivery of high-quality K-12 science and math instruction in seven counties of northwest California. My work includes both program development and evaluation, and research on science teaching. Current research focuses on three areas: 1) factors influencing science and math majors choices to join the teaching profession, 2) the professional development of science teachers via the Japanese Lesson Study model, and 3) assessment of new curricula on the success and retention of environmental resource engineering students.
Sample publications
- Espinoza, D.M., J. W. White, E. A. Eschenbach, and E. M. Cashman. 2004. Student Attitudes Surveyed in an Introductory Environmental Resources Engineering Course. Proceedings for Frontiers In Education 2004 Conference.
- White, J.W. 2004. Range size, error rates, and the geometry of rare species distributions. Proceedings of the 2002 Rare Plant Symposium: The Ecology and Management of Rare Plants of Northwestern California. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Cashman, E., Eschenbach, B., Espinoza, D. and White, J.W. 2003. Designing A New Learning Environment In Introductory Engineering Courses At Humboldt State University. Proceedings for Frontiers In Education 2003 Conference.
- White, J.W. 2003. Seminar. Studies of Rarity: A few problems and Solutions. Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- White, J.W., D. Skiles, K. Ponsano, W. Branca, and C. Lu.. 2002. Workshop. The Construction of a Private Universe: Children's Ideas in Science. California Science Teachers Association Conference, San Francisco.
- White, J.W. 1999. Poster. Phylogenetic Patterns of Rarity in the Argophyllean Clade of Astragalus L. (Fabaceae). XVI International Botanical Congress. St. Louis, MO.
- White, J.W. 1999. Ph.D. Rarity and the Phylogeography of the Large-flowered Piptoloboid Clade of Astragalus (Fabaceae). Dissertation, Michigan State University.
- White, J.W. and C. Preston. 1997. Ecological Systems. In Ecology, Law, and Economics, 2nd edition. N. Mercuro editor. University Press. New York.
Graduate students
- Past Grad Students:
- Carrie Schreiber
- comparative biology of restricted and widespread plant taxa
- Jennifer Westenberg
- the role of facilitation in plant interactions in stressful environments
- Haley Newberg
- science education programs at Sequoia Park Zoo.
- Ben Crain
- rare plants
- Clara Sander
- Jeremy Tout
- Julie Van Sickle
- science and literacy