The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) in Alabama, US, has established the Charles D. McCrary Endowed Professorship in Natural Resources Conservation and Development, together with a McCrary Postdoctoral Fellowship. The college said the McCrary Endowed Professorship and the fellowship will support interdisciplinary research, technological innovation and education in forestry, wildlife and natural resource management.
Both positions were created with support from the Charles D. McCrary Institute at Auburn University. The college describes itself as Alabama’s flagship institution for teaching, research and outreach serving the state’s forest, wildlife and natural resources-related sectors, which it values at more than $40 billion.
Aims of the McCrary Endowed Professorship
According to the college, the professorship will bring together cross-disciplinary faculty expertise and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. Its stated goals are to enhance research capacity, increase competitiveness for external funding and support conservation solutions across Alabama and beyond.
The college said the role will also involve accelerating innovation where natural resource management and technology meet. This is intended to strengthen Auburn’s research enterprise, promote faculty development and prepare students for what the college called an increasingly dynamic and tech-driven natural resource profession.
Coastal wetland ecologist named inaugural professor
The CFWE has appointed Christopher Anderson, professor of coastal wetland ecology, as the first holder of the post. The college said the appointment recognises his leadership and contributions to innovative research, education and conservation solutions along the Gulf Coast.
Anderson specialises in wetland and riparian ecosystems, including coastal wetlands, stormwater and hydrologic impacts, and the functional responses of natural systems to human disturbance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science in Botany from the University of South Florida and a PhD in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University.
His academic career spans 20 years. The college said his work has advanced understanding of the ecological impacts of environmental change and helped connect scientific findings with evidence-based conservation and resource management decisions.
Postdoctoral fellowship focused on artificial intelligence
Funding from the McCrary Institute will also support the two-year McCrary Postdoctoral Fellowship, which is intended to foster innovation at the intersection of AI and natural resource and environment management. The fellow will be supervised and mentored by Anderson.
The postholder will work with CFWE faculty members to provide analytical support, assist with competitive grant proposals and introduce AI-powered methods to increase the impact of environmental and natural resource research.
“In my role as the Charles D. McCrary Endowed Professor, I will work closely with the McCrary Postdoctoral Fellow to leverage CFWE’s technological resources and diverse faculty expertise to expand our capacity for interdisciplinary research,” said Anderson. “The integration of science and emerging technologies will help us develop novel pathways for addressing today’s complex environmental and natural resource challenges, while enhancing student learning and faculty engagement across the spectrum of CFWE research.”
Dean sets out the college’s expectations
Janaki Alavalapati, the Emmett F. Thompson Dean of the CFWE, linked the appointment to the college’s wider research ambitions.
“By encouraging collaboration, supporting cutting-edge research and strengthening educational opportunities, this professorship will help position Auburn to address the environmental challenges of the future,” said Alavalapati. “With Dr. Anderson’s leadership, we will expand the college’s mission of developing science-based solutions that benefit natural resources and the communities that depend on them. His appointment reflects both his accomplishments as an academic leader and the college’s continued investment in research, innovation and conservation impact.”
The CFWE said applications for the McCrary Postdoctoral Fellowship are now being accepted online.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Charles D. McCrary Endowed Professorship?
It is a new professorship in Natural Resources Conservation and Development at the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment. It is intended to combine cross-disciplinary faculty expertise with emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning to strengthen research and conservation solutions.
Who is the first Charles D. McCrary Endowed Professor?
Christopher Anderson, professor of coastal wetland ecology at Auburn University, has been named the inaugural holder. He specialises in wetland and riparian ecosystems, stormwater and hydrologic impacts.
Who funded the McCrary professorship and fellowship?
Both positions were created with support from the Charles D. McCrary Institute.
What will the McCrary Postdoctoral Fellow do?
The fellow will work with CFWE faculty to provide analytical support, assist with competitive grant proposals and integrate AI-powered methods into environmental and natural resource research, under Anderson’s supervision.
How long is the McCrary Postdoctoral Fellowship and is it open for applications?
The fellowship lasts two years, and applications are now being accepted online.
