Marvin Ruffner, Ph.D.

Biology Lab Associate
Assistant Professor

Department: Science & Health

Office: Shaw Collaborative Learning Center 241

Phone Extension: (859) 858-3511, x2275

Contact Marvin Ruffner

Education

Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science, University of Kentucky (2012).
- Dissertation: Invasive Ecology of Old World Bluestem Grasses and Insights for Coastal Prairie Restoration in South Texas
M.S. in Forestry, University of Kentucky (2004)
B.S. in Biology, University of Kentucky (1998)

Courses Taught:

BIO 100/101: Introductory Biology lecture/lab
BIO 121/122: Mission Farm
BIO 202/203/204: General Biology lecture/labs
BIO 211/213: Microbiology lecture/lab
BIO 272/274: Principles of Plant Biology lecture/lab
BIO 322: Genetics
ESC 150/151: Earth Science lecture/lab

Current Research:

Rehabilitating bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) invaded woodlands with honeysuckle removal and native species plantings
Antimicrobial effects of plant extracts

Research Interests:

Natural History
Faith and Science
Invasive species ecology and management
Conservation Biology
Wildlife Ecology and Management
Biodiversity
Botany

Recent Publications:

Ruffner, M.E., and T.G. Barnes. 2012. Evaluation of herbicide and disking to control invasive bluestems in a south Texas coastal prairie. Rangeland Ecology and Management 65: 277-285.

Ruffner, M.E., R.L. McCulley, J.A. Nelson, and T.G. Barnes. 2012. Ecosystem function differs between Old World bluestem invaded and native coastal prairie in south Texas. Biological Invasions 14: 1483-1500.

Ruffner M.E., and T.G. Barnes. 2010. Natural grassland response to herbicide and application timing to control tall fescue, an invasive cool-season grass. Invasive Plant Science and Management 3(3): 219 – 228.