Botany, Algae Expert Joins Biological Sciences Department

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Andrew Alverson

The department of biological sciences in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences has added Andrew Alverson to their faculty as an assistant professor. Alverson is a plant biologist who was previously at Indiana University, where he studied plant genomics under a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health.

“We’re all excited about having Dr. Alverson as part of the department,” said Steven Beaupre, professor of biology and chair of the department. “He is a highly visible researcher with a score of peer-reviewed articles and more in preparation. His level of research on the genetics and evolution of algae is unparalleled.”

Alverson is a member of several professional societies and is an associate editor for two scientific journals, Diatom Research and Phycologia. He has presented his research at more than a dozen conferences and universities across the North America, from Ottawa, Canada to Honolulu, Hawaii and from Juneau, Alaska to London, England.

“I’m happy to be in Fayetteville,” said Alverson. “We have a great biological sciences program, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the students and faculty.”

Alverson attended Grand Valley State University in Michigan, earning a bachelor of science in biology (1997). He holds a master of science in entomology, ecology and evolutionary biology from Iowa State University (2000) and a doctorate in plant biology from the University of Texas-Austin (2006). Alverson’s appointment began in January.