Biology Department Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

CHARLES W. BOYLEN
Professor
Associate Director, Fresh Water Institute

Summary of Research Interests

Understanding the role and activities of organisms in nature is important in understanding how ecosystems function and how they are altered by human interaction with the environment. Our current research interests involve several studies of physiological responses of microorganisms and aquatic angiosperms to environmental perturbation.

Projects involve limnological investigations of oligotrophic ecosystems including acid-stressed freshwater streams and lakes in the Adirondacks of upstate New York. The effects of acidic precipitation on primary productivity and the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and sulfur are being studied. Major research emphasis is placed on the Lake George ecosystem which is now in transition from oligotrophy to mesotrophy. Studies on Lake George include a full array of projects dealing with the impact of nutrient enrichment on aquatic food chain dynamics.

Other projects deal with the survival capabilities of predominant groups of soil and water bacteria. These organisms play important roles in decomposition and remineralization in nature. The physiological capabilities of these organisms to withstand nutrient deprivation and desiccation are being investigated in the laboratory as well as in field studies.

Vita

Dr. Boylen received his B.A. in Microbiology (1964) from Indiana University and his Ph.D. in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin in 1969.

His postdoctoral training included participation in the microbiological analyses of the Apollo lunar samples at the NASA - Ames Research Center and with T.D. Brock at the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Boylen came to Rensselaer in 1972. He has been a member of the Editorial board of Applied and Environmental Microbiology 1976-82 and past President of the Eastern New York Branch of the American Society for Microbiology 1979-1981. He is currently Associate Director of Rensselaer's Fresh Water Institute, a multidisciplinary center on campus and research laboratory at Lake George, NY, concerned with water resources.

Selected publications

Freshwater Ecology

Current Topics in Environmental Biology

Biodefense

Biology Home Page

Darrin Fresh Water Institute

Workshop