Benjamin R. Grady
Associate Professor of Biology, Director of Environmental Studies Program
- Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
- M.S., University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls
- B.A., University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls
Nature has always been a central part of my life. I was lucky enough to turn this passion for the natural world into a career as a scientist and educator in the field of biology. My areas of research focus broadly on evolution, ecology and conservation. Specifically, I study a group of fascinating plants that inhabit some of the most inhospitable North American desert areas, the wild buckwheat (Eriogonum). Additionally, the complexity and rarity of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem have always interested me. Currently, students in my research lab at Ripon College are investigating the diversity of insect pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc.) in prairies of Wisconsin. There is still a lot we can learn from the species around us!
At Ripon College, I teach courses ranging from Introductory Biology and Environmental Studies to advanced courses in Plant Diversity, Flora and Vegetation, and Conservation Biology.
What is something you’ve experienced that makes Ripon College special?
Building relationships with students
Briefly describe a favorite assignment or in-class activity.
Any activity that requires students to get out in nature is always a favorite of mine. Certain fields of biology are best explored by getting dirty, smelling plants, or measuring trees in the snow.
What’s your workspace like?
My workspace is somewhere between organized and absolutely chaotic, depending upon the time of year.