Biology Department

Milton L. Fischer Memorial Field Research Fellowship

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The Milton L. Fischer Memorial Field Research Fellowship is an endowed fund administered by the Biology Department at Reed College. The fellowship honors Milton Fischer, a popular and influential graduate of this department (1986).

The Fellowship will be awarded to a student who has passed his/her junior qualifying exam, with preference to biology majors, who have submitted a 2-4 page outline of his/her proposed project. The proposal will demonstrate the ability to gather and communicate critical information to individuals and groups that advance the principle of sustainable relationships between natural resources and society. In addition, the proposal will explain how his/her research will generate new knowledge that supports positive change to watersheds, habitat, wild fish/duck populations, or the like. In keeping with Milton's values, recipients will possess or obtain a valid hunting or fishing license, preferably in the State of Oregon.

"The family and friends of Milton Fischer believe that Milton's passion for ecological and biological sciences and the preservation of watersheds and wild landscapes flowed in part from his passion for wild fish and ducks, and their pursuit with rod and gun. Milton's understanding of human dependence upon natural resources, the need for responsible stewardship of those resources and his ability to communicate those concepts to a diverse audience, were developed and nurtured during his time spent at Reed. We hope that this Fellowship will provide an avenue for keeping alive Milton's spirit and passions that so many knew, respected, and loved."

More information about Milton can be found at American Memorials (search on "Milton" "Fischer" "Oregon").

Information about this fellowship can be obtained from Dr. Keith Karoly (Biology Dept.) or from the Chair of the Biology Department.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for the Milton L. Fischer Memorial Field Research Fellowship should be submitted to the Kristy Gonyer (B115), Biology Administrative Coordinator according to the annual deadline posted on the application form.

Previous Awards Supported Under the Fischer Fund

  • Perkin, Elizabeth (2003) The Effects of Coho (Oncorhychus kisutch) Salmon Carcasses on the Abundance of Macroinvertebrates in Western Oregon.
  • Wood, Bill (2004) Re-Colonization of Burned Areas by Ectomycorrhizal Fungi with an Emphasis on the Morchella.
  • Bonhomme, Edna (2005) Intraspecific variation among populations of the invasive plant, Brachypodium sylvaticum, using PCR-RFLP analysis of chloroplast DNA.
  • Acharya, Xeno (2006) Adaptive Management and Restoration of Amphibian Habitat in the Reed College Canyon using the Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) as a Surrogate Model.
  • Oppenheim, Noah (2007) The Effects of Four Pond Environments on Growth and Development of Larval Red Legged Frogs (Rana aurora) in Urban Portland.
  • Bryant, Laila (2008) Growth and Development of Recently Re-Introduced Rana aurora in the Reed College Canyon and the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge - Implications for Long-Term Success.
  • Kaye, Melati (2008) Totem on a Tottering Pole: A Series of Articles on the Environmental Challenges Salmon in the Pacific Northwest Face Today.
  • Young, Ross (2010) Rana aurora translocation and microhabitat use: A case study in an urban wetland
  • Maden, Sean (2010) Establishing a Complex Habitat: Rana aurora Habitat Construction in the Reed Canyon.
  • Kraus, Jacob (2013) Environmental Effects of Ritmanis and Fischer 4 Ponds on the Morphological Development of Taricha granulosa Larvae.
  • Stanton, Kimmy (2013) Exploration into the Role of Abiotic Environmental Factors in the Divergence of Two Closely Related Delphinium Species.
  • Dashevsky, Daniel (2013) Crotalus mitchelii on islands in the Sea of Cortes and hard drives in Indiana
  • Fox, Rachel (2014) Urban Habitat Comparisons and Amphibian Habitat Construction in the Reed Canyon.
  • Brumbaugh-Smith, Claire (2014) Amphibian Habitat Sustainability of Fischer IV and Other Long Term Protected Urban Areas: Implications for the Reintroduction of Rana aurora in the Reed Canyon.
  • Zhu, Edward (2018) Remote Sensing of Fire and Drought Responses in Bigcone Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa.
  • Kolk, Maeve (2018) Phenotypic Plasticity of the Cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa: Growth Rates in Relation to Temperature Fluctuations of Oregon Lakes.
  • Goldstein-Miller, Caleb (2019) Polystichum munitum (western sword fern) decline in the Pacific Northwest..
  • Novak, Ruby (2020) Modeling three-species ecological interactions: the vulture, the fly and the fungus.
  • Post-Leon, Annapurna (2020) Effects of Fog on Coastal Vegetation Health in Washington, Oregon, and California.
  • Theus, Meredith (2020) The effects of pharmaceuticals on the rate decomposition in polluted soil systems.
  • Krishnan, Ananke (2021) Insect and pollinator responses to native yard conversions.