FACULTY

​Dr. Matthew Altenritter
Assistant Professor

Contact Information:
Phone: (585) 395-5975
Email: maltenritter@brockport.edu
Website: http://matthewaltenritter.weebly.com

I am a new faculty member in the department with research interests in fish and aquatic ecology. I received my PhD from the University of Maine and held postdoctoral positions in Texas and Illinois. I am looking forward to building a student-centered lab that includes research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. My current research includes the sub-lethal effects of hypoxia exposure on fishes, unintended consequences of invasive species barriers on native fishes, and long-term community responses to improvements in biodiversity in large river ecosystems.

Dr. Kathryn Amatangelo
Assistant Professor 

Contact Information:
Phone: (585) 395-1473
Email: kamatang@brockport.edu
Website: https://amatangelolab.weebly.com/

Dr. Amatangelo is a community and ecosystem ecologist who focuses on terrestrial systems. Her primary interests are in understanding on how human-induced global changes affect plant communities, plant-animal interactions, and ecosystem function. Many of her projects involve invasive species, currently including swallow-wort, slender false-brome, and mile-a-minute. She uses a combination of field, greenhouse, and lab experiments in her research.

​Dr. Michael Chislock
Assistant Professor, Limnology

Contact Information:
Phone: (585) 395-5961
Email: mchislock@brockport.edu

I'm originally from central Pennsylvania (Huntingdon, PA) and also lived in Auburn, AL. I am an avid fly- and float-fisherman and enjoy exploring new streams and rivers while chasing steelhead. I also enjoy spending my free time with my two dogs, a chocolate lab named Hailee (also known as "Thunder") and a vizsla named Maggie (also known as "Lightning")
I graduated from a small college (Clarion University) in northwestern PA with a B.S. in Ecology and a minor in chemistry. I then earned my Ph.D from Auburn University in fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic science, where my research merged eco-evolutionary interactions with limnology and aquaculture to manage cyanobacterial blooms and associated toxins using ecological principles. Prior to starting at Brockport, I was a postdoctoral fellow at Purdue University in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resource, where I focused on amphibian communities, disease ecology, and ecotoxicology.
My research interests are broad, with research in my lab merging aspects of limnology, ecotoxicology, and ecology. My students and I are currently exploring eutrophication and the causes and consequences of harmful algal blooms; the prevalence of microplastics in Lake Ontario and tributaries; the ecological and ecotoxicological consequences of microplastics/contaminant adsorption; and the restoration of stream and wetland habitats.

Dr. Christopher Norment
Professor

Contact Information:
Phone: (585) 395-5748
Email: cnorment@brockport.edu
Website: http://christophernorment.weebly.com

Dr. Chris Norment is a Professor of Environmental Science and Ecology. He is a terrestrial vertebrate ecologist by training, and his scientific research has focused on the ecology and conservation of birds in the Northeast. However, he also has conducted research in arctic Canada and Alaska, the Snowy Mountains of Australia, the Rocky Mountains, and Death Valley region (where he currently is pursuing his obsession with the Inyo Mountains salamander). He also has worked as a secondary high school science teacher, Outward Bound mountaineering instructor, U.S. National Park Service biologist, and gumball machine repairman. He has authored over forty scientific papers and published four books of creative nonfiction.

Dr. Jacques Rinchard
Associate Professor and Chair

Contact Information:
Phone: (585) 395-5750
Email: jrinchar@brockport.edu
Website: https://jacquesrinchard.weebly.com/

Dr. Jacques Rinchard is a fish physiologist. His research program focuses on fish nutrition and reproduction interactions. His research group is interested in understanding (1) how fatty acid signature analysis can be used as a tool to gain insight into foraging ecology; (2) how fatty acids affect fish reproduction; and (3) the ecological and physiological importance of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in aquatic food webs. Students worked both in the lab and in the field on cutting edge research projects which provide them critical skills and valuable experience.

Dr. Rachel Shultz
Associate Professor

Contact Information:
Phone: (585) 395-5747
Email: rschultz@brockport.edu
Website: ​https://schultzre.weebly.com

​Dr. Rachel Schultz is a wetland ecologist who is driven to explore bogs, fens, marshes, and swamps to learn and teach about these complex systems. Dr. Schultz teaches courses including Wetland Ecology and Management, Restoration Ecology, Invasion Ecology, and Ecological Data Analysis in R. She researches wetlands in the Great Lakes region to quantify ecological responses to restoration as well as overall ecological condition. Dr. Schultz also works with graduate and undergraduate students to test how plant communities influence wetland functions including carbon sequestration and methane emissions using field and experimental studies. Long-term, she looks forward to using this research to inform effective large-scale restoration. ​

Adjunct Instructors

Norma Polizzi

Norma has been teaching Environmental Law here for 12 years. Environmental Attorney (Juris Doctor) for 18 years now in private practice. Recently obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Environmental Law. Thesis is on Climate Change and the Law. Counsel to Rochester People's Climate Coalition and Drawdown Ambassador for Pachamama. Attended Climate Reality training with Vice President Gore and the International Conference on Climate Change in Poland in 2018.

Dr. Jacob Straub

My professional teaching experience spans more than 10 years and includes a variety of field-based courses in wildlife, forestry, natural resources, ecology and environmental science. I've advised over 100 undergraduate students and 3 MSc students as an Assistant and Associate Professor. My favorite experiences involve taking students to the field and inspiring passion and stewardship for our natural world. I'm also an internationally recognized waterfowl research scientist who works closely with conservation partners at the state, federal and local levels. My students research relevant and applied aspects of waterfowl and wetland conservation.
​

Teaching Assistants 

Lexi Reitler
​M.S. Student 

Aaron Heisey
M.S. Student 

Support Staff

ANDIE GRAHAM

Instructional Support Technician

Andie Graham has a M.S. in Environmental Science and Biology with an emphasis in wetland ecology and B.S. in Earth and Mineral Science with an emphasis on hydrogeology. She teaches courses in wetland delineation and and conducts research in wetland ecosystems. Andie’s research focuses on invasive species management and habitat restoration. Additionally, Andie holds professional certifications from the Society of Wetland Scientists (WPIT©) and the Society of Ecological Restoration (CERPIT©).

GREG LAWRENCE

Research Scientist

After getting his B.S. and M.Sc. in Environmental Science & Ecology at SUNY Brockport, he manages part of the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program as well as multiple Great Lakes coastal wetland restoration projects at SUNY Brockport. Research interests include ornithology and bird population monitoring, restoration ecology, peatland ecology, and community ecology, specifically in wetlands and grasslands.

CRYSTAL NUTTY

Secretary I

I started with the Environmental Science & Ecology Department  in April of 2019. My   previous experience includes working in the medical department of Wyoming Correctional Facility and working in the education department of Industry Residential Center.   Before going into the secretarial field I worked in retail in many different departments, which helped with my people skills as well as time management and organizational skills. I am thrilled to be able to work with the wonderful staff in this department and excited to be able to get to know the students! 

Emeriti

Dr. James Haynes (Professor)
Dr. Joseph Makarewicz (Distinguished Professor) 
Dr. Douglas Wilcox (Professor of Wetland Science)