Dr. Urquhart is a biologist with specialization in tropical wildlife ecology. His research focuses on how human activity influences biodiversity in the rainforests of Central and South America. In these last wild places on earth, it is critical that we develop our understanding of how to best conserve the immense biodiversity. Dr. Urquhart's approach combines basic research with applied conservation solutions. Dr. Urquhart's roots as a scientist developed early but he credits his time as an undergraduate student in Lyman Briggs as the defining period on his path toward teaching and research. After pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and a postdoc at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, he returned to Lyman Briggs in 1999. Dr. Urquhart has a joint appointment in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Faculty Excellence Advocate (FEA) for Lyman Briggs College

The FEA position is supported and coordinated by the Office of the Provost. The Faculty Excellence Advocate initiative was designed “to help improve MSU’s ability to recruit, retain and advance a successful faculty work force, as well as create a positive and supportive work climate for all."

The duties of the FEA include, but are not limited to:

• helping create a positive work environment for our faculty, staff, and advisors
• collaborating with the LBC Committee for Inclusivity (LBC Inc.) to advance college efforts related to inclusive excellence
• promoting the core values of the college through supporting hiring, annual review, and RPT processes
• providing faculty with support (e.g., listening, brainstorming solutions, connecting faculty to others and campus resources)