Research, Academic Interests, and Areas of Expertise
Research: ecological restoration of disturbed desert habitats using native woody plants & soil microbes
Academic interests: plant biology, genetics, ecology, and scientific literacy
Areas of expertise: broad academic training & teaching experience in biology with emphasis in plant biology & genetics
Background Highlights
In spring 2009 Jim and his research team transplanted 60 seedlings into Cottonwood Pass in Joshua Tree National Park to re-vegetate and (hopefully) initiate ecological restoration of a disturbed desert wash.
Courses Offered at Redlands
First Year Seminar: Plants in our World, Concepts of Biology, Principles of Biology, Botany, Plant Ecology, Research Topics in Biology, and a Johnston seminar or directed study once in a while.
Previous Teaching Experience
Assistant Professor of Biology at Alfred University in Alfred, NY Fall 1994 – Spring 1999
Awards, Honors and Grants
National Science Foundation - Research Opportunity Award, 2006: “Nitrogen Deposition, Mycorrhizal Communities and Competitive Plant Interactions in Southern California Deserts," $19,936
Merck•AAAS - Undergraduate Science Research Program, 2003-06: “University of Redlands," $60,000 (extended through 2008)
National Science Foundation - Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement - Adaptation and Implementation Program, 2001-04: “Integration of student-designed laboratories in cell and tissue biology," $58,083
National Science Foundation - Course and Curriculum Development Program, 1997-99: “Investigative Science at Alfred: How the World Works," $114,930
Publications
Blauth, J.R., D.P. Schrum (Dec 2005) Service Learning and Field Research at the University of Redlands: Desert Restoration in Joshua Tree
National Park. CUR Quarterly, 26(2):63-65
Boersma, S.F., M.M. Hluchy, G.L. Godshalk, J.L. Crane, D.R. DeGraff, J.R. Blauth (2001) An interdisciplinary, process-based, student-designed introductory science course. Journal of College Science Teaching, XXX(6):397-402
Grube, R.C., J.R. Blauth, M.S. Arnedo Andrès, C. Caranta, M.K. Jahn (2000) Identification and comparative mapping of a dominant potyvirus resistance gene cluster in Capsicum. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 101:852-859
Livingstone, K.D., Lackney, V.K., Blauth, J.R., Van Wijk, R., Jahn, M. Kyle (1999) Genome mapping in Capsicum and the evolution of genome structure in the Solanaceae. Genetics 152(3):1183-1202
Murphy, J.F., J.R. Blauth, K. D. Livingstone, V.K. Lackney, and M. K. Jahn (1998) Genetic mapping of the pvr1 locus in Capsicum spp. and evidence that distinct potyvirus loci control responses that differ at the whole plant and cellular levels. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 11(10):943-951
Prince, J.P., V.K. Lackney, C. Angeles, J.R. Blauth, and M.M. Kyle (1995) A survey of DNA polymorphism within the genus Capsicum and the fingerprinting of cultivated varieties. Genome 38(2):224-231
Presentations
James R. Blauth, David P. Schrum “Integrating biology and chemistry, basic and applied plant biology in undergraduate research," Plant Biology Conference, July 2009
James R. Blauth, “From the Ground Up: Towards Revegetation of a Disturbed Desert Wash," invited talk, Harvey Mudd College, November 2007
James R. Blauth, David Schrum, Trevor Harp, Hannah Woolverton, Sean Guthrie, Jerel Garcia, Iyan Sandri, “Towards Revegetation of a Disturbed Desert Wash Using Native Woody Legumes, Rhizobia, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizas," Botany & Plant Biology Joint Congress, July 2007
James R. Blauth, Edith B. Allen, Michael F. Allen, “Nitrogen Deposition, Mycorrhizal Communities, and Vegetation Change in Southern California Desert," Botanical Society of America (BSA) Conference, July 2006
James R. Blauth, “From the Ground Up: Restoring a Disturbed Desert Habitat,"invited talk, Iowa State University Horticulture Dept., September 2005
James R. Blauth, David P. Schrum, Vinh Do, Benjamin Eroen, Phillip Fivgas, Leslie Lutke, Heidi MacLean, Heather Mitchell, Tiffanylee Tschann, “Exploring Woody Legumes, Rhizobia, and Mycorrhizae for Revegetating Desert Washes," California Society for Ecological Restoration (SERCAL) Conference, October 2004
Professional Affiliations
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- Botanical Society of America
- California Society for Ecological Restoration
- Council on Undergraduate Research
Bachelor of Science Graduates
Many of our B.S. grads have gone on to excellent graduate programs or tech jobs, and could tell you about the value of their research experience at the U of R (summer and/or academic year) in preparing them for and making them attractive candidates for those placements.
A few of our research projects involve data collection in the field, with nice photo opps of students and faculty in the mountains or desert or on the ocean.