|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
Dr. David R. Orvos Professor of Environmental Science Department Chair Department of Environmental Studies Tel: +1-434-381-6532 |
Professor Orvos received his Ph.D. in 1989 from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he studied at the University Center for Environmental and Hazardous Materials Studies under Professor John Cairns, Jr. During his doctoral studies he received the 1986 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Pre-Doctoral Fellowship and the 1988 Cunningham Research Fellowship. His post-doctoral training was also with Professor Cairns and was supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation. Dr. Orvos received his bachelor's degree in biology from Eastern Mennonite College in 1980 and his master's degree in biology from James Madison University in 1985 where he studied in the aquatic bioassay laboratory under Dr. Cletus Sellers, Jr.
Following his post-doctoral training, Dr. Orvos joined Roy F. Weston, Inc., an international environmental consulting firm, where he was ultimately responsible for managing the Environmental Fate and Effect Laboratory in West Chester, PA. He then joined the Environmental Research Laboratory of SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals for six years as an environmental biologist and also taught in the evening program at Drexel University's School of Environmental Science, Engineering, and Policy in Philadelphia. During his tenure at SmithKline, he conducted research with co-op students from Drexel. From SmithKline, Dr. Orvos joined the Department of Biology at the State University of New York at Fredonia where he directed the interdepartmental Environmental Sciences Program for three years. He currently serves as an editor for the journal Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics and has served as a reviewer for the journals, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal of Environmental Quality, Environmental Science and Technology, Chemosphere, and Aquatic Toxicology.
CHEM 226 - Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
ENVR 101 - Introduction to Environmental Issues
ENVR 202 - Environmental Sciences Laboratory
ENVR 208 - Surface Waters
ENVR 220 - Applied Environmental Analysis
ENVR 244 - Environmental Chemistry
ENVR 433 - Advanced Lab in Environmental Science
Dr. Orvos is interested in xenobiotic effects on aquatic organisms, particularly fish; fisheries; biology of freshwater systems; watershed assessment and restoration; and environmental risk assessment. A particular interest is applying cellular and molecular biology techniques to environmental science. His publications reflect his broad research interests in the natural sciences.
For more information on research for Sweet Briar students, including possible research topics, follow the link on the right to the Orvos Research Group page.
Orvos, D.R., D.J. Versteeg, J. Inauen, M. Capdevielle, A. Rothenstein, and V.L. Cunningham. 2002. Aquatic toxicity of triclosan. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21(7):1338-1349.
Diers, J.A., D. Einhouse, and D.R. Orvos. 2001. Characterization of eastern Lake Erie inshore fish communities. Great Lakes Research Review 5:6-10.
Worthey, A.L., J.F. Kane, and D.R. Orvos. 1999. Fate of pBR322 in a wastewater matrix. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology 22:164-166.
Orvos, D.R. and J. Cairns, Jr. 1998. Estimating the risks associated with implementing goals and conditions for global sustainability. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology 5:153-163.
Palmer, S., D.R. Orvos, V. Scanferlato, G.H. Lacy, and J. Cairns, Jr. 1997. Survival and ecological effects of genetically engineered Erwinia carotovora in soil and aquatic microcosms. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 16:650-657.
Dr. Orvos is a board-certified Firefighter III, remaining interested in hazardous materials release assessment and mitigation, and is certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as an emergency medical technician and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a vehicle rescue technician. He lives in Amherst with his wife Andrea, son Michael, and dog Brett. In his spare time he is a soccer coach, is active in Cub Scouts, and enjoys fishing. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Humane Society of Amherst County.
