John Brzorad
- Ph.D., Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Rutgers University
- M.S., Biology, University of Illinois
- B.S., Biology, Cornell University
John Brzorad is a professor of biology at Lenoir-Rhyne. During his tenure, he also served as co-director of the Reese Institute for the Conservation of Natural Resources. He teaches classes in environmental science, environmental monitoring and special topics. In addition, he promotes science, technology, job creation and networking competency using a thorough understanding of energy and matter in ecological systems.
Turning from lab work to field work, Brzorad's doctorate reunited him with his childhood love of bird watching. His ongoing research involves the energetics and natural history of egrets and herons (Ardeidae). He examined the role bird colonies play in food finding among egrets and has established a network of collaborators from California, Kansas, Texas, Florida, Maine, Ontario and the Greater New York City area.
Having learned how to safely trap these birds on their foraging grounds with his long-time colleague (Alan Maccarone), Brzorad and his team attach cutting-edge technology that allows following the birds on their daily and annual movements. On-board fitbits (accelerometers) track the bodily movements of the birds. Local schoolchildren adopt individual birds, and their teachers develop interdisciplinary lesson plans around their birds.
In 2008, Brzorad received the Lenoir-Rhyne Faculty Scholar Award, which is presented to the faculty member who has made the most significant contribution to his/her discipline during the academic year.
Brzorad enjoys sharing his passion for the natural world with students and colleagues from LR and beyond. He provides services as an ecological consultant or field biologist, and his work has been featured in multiple videos and publications. In addition, he is a frequent speaker at conferences.