Bernard M Walton

Current Title: Bernard Michael Walton, Associate Professor of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University

Education: Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (high school that focused on mathematics, engineering, and technical skills), George Washington University (B.S. and M.S. Degrees), University of Chicago, Committe on Evolutionary Biology (Ph.D.), University of California, Irvine and University of Chicago (post-doctoral researcher).

Research Interests: My research has focussed upon the (1) evolution of function, structure, and behavior largely among reptiles and amphibians, (2) the roles that reptiles and amphibians play in regulation of ecological processes, (3) the impacts of environmental changes in species abundance and diversity and stability of native ecosystems. Currently, my research investigates the impacts of climate change, urbanization, and habitat decline on terrestrial salamander which, as my students and I have shown, play significant roles in the regulation of invertebrates of the forest floor, species interactions, and the cycling of nutrients on the forest floor.

Teaching Interests: I teach courses that focus upon evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation biology, and urban ecology - all of which, together, represent foundational knowledge and skills necessary for addressing the challenges of rapidly changing ecosystems and consequences of the 6th period of mass extinction.