JOE M. KING BIOGRAPHY

Joe M. King, Professor of Biological Sciences and Dean of the College of Sciences, agreed in August 2008 to serve as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.  He received his B.S. degree in 1968 from Sam Houston State University with a major in biology and a minor in Chemistry.  He went on to earn  his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas-Austin with an emphasis in biology and supporting areas in environmental science and biochemistry.

Starting his career at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, he taught for two years before becoming a Research Scientist in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Rice University.  In 1978 he accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Murray State University and five years later attained the rank of Professor.  While at Murray State University, he served as Director of the Hancock Biological Station and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. 

Dr. King’s research specialties are in the areas of limnology, water quality assessment, phytoplankton taxonomy and ecology, and aquatic phytotoxicology.  He established a state-funded Center for Reservoir Research for interdisciplinary limnological investigations of large reservoirs and the interactions of these systems with their watersheds.  His research has resulted in numerous articles published in scientific journals as well as presentations to professional associations.

In 1992, as Dean of the College of Sciences at The University of New Orleans, he worked with administration and faculty to develop several academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The Advanced Materials Research Institute and the Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences are two faculty accomplishments under his term as dean.

Joe King remains active in research and teaching and continues to secure outside funding from private sources for the development of teaching and research facilities. He is responsible for more than $5.1 million in funding from numerous state and federal agencies and serves on several professional boards and committee.