Department of Biology and Earth Science
Dr. Stefan Cairns
Associate Professor of Biology
Education
B. S. Montana State University
B. A. Montana State University
M. S. Eastern Washington University
Ph. D. University of North Texas
Courses:
Biol 1005 Introduction to Environmental Science
Biol 4210 Ichthyology
Biol 5710 Aquatic Ecology / Limnology
Biol 5954 Water Quality / Environmental Research
Biol 5005 Graduate Seminar
Dr. Stefan Cairns was raised in eastern Pennsylvania. He moved to Montana to earn Baccalaureate degrees in English and Botany at Montana State University. He continued his academic training in aquatic ecology at Eastern Washington University earning a M.S. degree and moved to Texas in 1988 to complete a Ph.D. at University of North Texas where he remained for an additional five years as a Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor in the Institute of Applied Sciences. Dr. Cairns accepted a teaching position on the northern border of Maine in 1997 at University of Maine at Fort Kent. While in Maine, he joined with Dr. Jeff Yule of the English faculty to create Common Ground, an interdisciplinary electronic environmental journal.
Dr. Cairns maintains broad research interests that include applied aquatic biology problem solving, environmental stream ecotoxicology, environmental education, application of remote sensing to environmental assessment, eutrophication monitoring of lakes and reservoirs, restoration and recovery of damaged ecosystems, limnology, and aquatic ecosystem population dynamics. Currently, at the University of Central Missouri, he enjoys active involvement in the MS Biology and MA Environmental Study programs. He has benefitted from working with area agencies, community groups, students, and other faculty on interdisciplinary environmental issues. Dr. Cairns supervises an environmental research program which emphasizes diverse student research interests taking place both in his research lab on the UCM campus and around Missouri.
Non-academic interests include family time with wife, Nan, and daughter, Hannah. The Cairns' family enjoys most outdoor activities including skiing, biking, kayaking, and canoeing as well as a good dose of music and other fine arts.
List of past and current graduate students
Curriculum Vita
Department of Biology and Earth Science
Office: WCM 319A, UCM
Phone: 660-543-8291
Email: cairns@ucmo.edu
