John Briggs
Associate
professor of plant biology, Arizona State University, and adjunct professor
of biology, Kansas State University
The prairie fires that illuminate the Kansas skyline during the summer are of great interest and research importance to John Briggs, associate professor of plant biology at Arizona State University and adjunct professor of biology at Kansas State University. Briggs has spent his career studying ecosystems like the Konza Prairie, and other ecosystems in transition.
His research interests include the use of remote sensing and geographical information systems in ecosystem research, and terrestrial ecology. He is also interested in urban ecology, especially the role of fire in these areas. He is currently working on the causes and consequences of dramatic shifts in growth form dominance in certain ecosystems.
Briggs is the author of more than 40 publications, six book chapters, and one book on grassland research. His professional memberships include the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the Ecological Society of America, the Botanical Society of America, the International Association of Landscape Ecology. the American Society of Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing, and the Sigma Xi honor society.
Briggs received his bachelor's and master's in biology from Pittsburg State University, and his doctorate in zoology from the University of Arkansas. He joined K-State in 1984, and left for Arizona State University in 1999. He remains an adjunct professor of biology at K-State.
Briggs can be reached for comment at 480-727-7360, or via e-mail at John.Briggs@asu.edu.