Plant-Insect Interactions
Ray S. Williams, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ph.D. Biology, University of South Carolina, 1995
M.S. Biology, Appalachian State University, 1982
B.A. Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1978
Rankin North 217
Telephone (828) 262-6511
willmsrs@appstate.edu
Professional experience:
- 2006 - 2009; Assistant Chair; Department of Biology; Appalachian State University
- 2003 - present; Associate Professor of Biology; Department of Biology; Appalachian State University
- 1995 - 2003; Assistant Professor; Appalachian State University
- 1995 - 1997; Research Assistant Professor; Department of Biological Sciences; University of South Carolina
- 1995 - 1997; Visiting Scientist; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge, TN
- 1991 - 1995; Department of Energy EPSCoR Program Fellow; University of South Carolina
Teaching specialties:
- Insect biology
- Insect-plant associations
- Environmental studies
- General biology
- Graduate writing/presentation skills
Areas of expertise:
- Insect biology
- Community outreach on insect identification / issues
- Global climate change (biological issues)
Current courses:
- BIO 4552/5552 - Entomology
- BIO 4571/5571 - Plant-Insect Interactions
- BIO 1103 - Global Climate Change and Earth's Life
- BIO 3312 - Environmental Studies
- BIO 5000 - Bibliography and Research
- BIO 6610 - Advanced Seminar in Current Research
Honors / awards:
- Nominated for the William C. Strickland Outstanding Young Faculty Award; Appalachian State University
- Nominated to the Arts and Sciences Academy of Outstanding Teachers; Appalachian State University
Professional affiliations:
- Ecological Society of America
- Entomological Society of America
- The Association of Southeastern Biologists
- Sigma Xi
Professional / community activities:
- Senior Research Awards Committee; Association of Southeastern Biologists (Chair 2005)
- ASB Posters Award Committee (Chair 2008)
- ASB Oral Presentation Session Proctor
- Insect Shows to First and Second Grade classes; Green Valley Elementary
- Global Change presentation to ASU Senior Scholars Program
- Insect show for Boone Garden Club
- Insect show for Garden Club at Hardin Park Elementary School
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Butterfly Bonanza
- Insect show for 7th - 8th grade science club; Johnson County Middle School, TN
- "Bugs of the Blue Ridge"; Appalachian Cultural Museum and Watauga County Library
- Insect show for 1st grade students; Cove Creek Elementary School
- Insect show for 4th - 5th grades at Parkway Elementary School, NC
- "Bugs of the Blue Ridge"; Appalachian Cultural Museum
- Insects in the garden; Mountaineer Garden Club
Research:
My research has historically focused on the effects of global climate change drivers (primarily carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and precipitation) on plant-insect associations. This work involves both direct and indirect effects, including how plant chemical constituents important to insects may be altered. In recent years my work has extended beyond single plant-insect models to include community level associations. My broader interest is investigating what factors in plants communities determine the structure of the associated insect community.
Selected publications:
C.N. Wells, R.S. Williams, G.L. Walker and N.M. Haddad. 2009. Effects of corridors on genetics of a butterfly in a landscape experiment. Southeastern Naturalist, in press.
S.N. Villalpando, R.S. Williams and R.J. Norby. 2009. Elevated air temperature alters an old-field insect community in a multi-factor climate change experiment. Global Change Biology, 15: 930-942.
R.S. Williams, D.E. Lincoln and R.J. Norby. 2003. Development of gypsy moth larvae feeding on red maple saplings at elevated CO2 and temperature. Oecologia, 137: 114-122.
R.A. Hansen, R.S. Williams and D.E. Lincoln. 2001. Non-litter effects of elevated CO2 on forest floor microarthropod abundances. Plant and Soil 236: 139-144.
R.S. Williams, R.J. Norby and D.E. Lincoln. 2000. Effects of elevated CO2 and temperature-grown red and sugar maple on gypsy moth performance. Global Change Biology, 6: 685-696.
R.S. Williams, D.E. Lincoln and R.J. Norby. 1998. Leaf age effects of elevated CO2-grown white oak leaves on spring-feeding lepidopterans. Global Change Biology 4: 235-246.
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