Tom Grant

Thomas Grant is an Assistant Instructional Professor for the Honors College of UW. He received his PhD in Ecology from Colorado State University in 2011 with research on understanding how invasive plants become successful weeds. This work focused on the biogeochemistry and inter-specific interactions between plants and micro-organisms, and aimed to find more effective ways to manage invasive weeds. Throughout his career, he has worked on plant related issues that impact natural resources and the livelihoods based upon them. This has included the effects of climate variability on forest management in Alaska, the conservation and management of rare and endangered plants in the western US, and most recently the development of collaborative landscape scale habitat restoration programs with private landowners and public land managers in western Colorado. In 2019 as the restoration program coordinator, he received awards from the US Forest Service’s Birds Across the Americas program, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the High Country Conservation Advocates. Tom has also taught natural resource related courses at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and was a founding faculty member of the Master of Environmental Management program at Western Colorado University.

Dr. Grant has publications in a variety of topics, including forestry, climate change, rare plant conservation, invasive species management, and habitat restoration. He has a strong quantitative background and is determined to effectively apply scientific methods to real world natural resource management issues. A primary interest of Tom’s is to build collaborative efforts that use interdisciplinary techniques to improve habitats for wildlife and livestock production. These goals are based on his belief that we can, and need to, ethically manage land for multiple uses, including wildlife, recreation, hunting, livestock production, and energy extraction. Working with Honors students from diverse backgrounds and areas of study, Dr. Grant hopes to integrate scientific ideas and concepts into Honors’ courses and capstone projects in ways that highlight the role of science in all aspects of modern life.
 
As an Assistant Instructional Professor in UW’s Honors College beginning in the Fall of 2020, Tom will teach the Honor’s Colloquium courses and upper division electives that integrate science and real-world issues. Additionally, he will co-advise the Honor’s Capstone program with Dr. Joslyn Cassady. Dr. Grant is excited to join the Honors College and to work with students to develop capstone projects that challenge them and provide useful end products to society.

 

Research

Dr. Tom Grant's research has always related to plants and managing ecological systems, although he shared that as he has aged his focus has broadened. He is interested in collaborative approaches to natural resource management that support resilience, natural systems, sustainable human communities, and stable economic policies. His approach is to implement ecological restoration that includes both humans and natural systems to address our world’s intertwined social, economic, and environmental challenges.

 

Capstone Support

Getting started on the Honors Capstone? As a capstone coordinator, Dr. Grant can help explain the process, brainstorm ideas, and get you started. Schedule an appointment to find out more! In-person and virtual appointments available.

Email Tom Grant