Michael J. Harvey

Dr. Michael J. Harvey is Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville. From January 1985 to July 1998, he served as chairman of the department. During the previous 18 years he served on the faculty of the Department of Biology at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). He received a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, Lexington (1967), M.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas (1962), and B.S. from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, (1958). He also attended the University of Illinois, University of Colorado, Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, and Memphis State University, Tennessee. His primary research interests include conservation biology and behavioral ecology of mammals, particularly endangered bats. He also has conducted research on reptiles and amphibians, as well as various aspects of biospeleology. He is author or coauthor of numerous publications on these subjects, including "Bats of the United States and Canada," "Bats of the United States," and "Bats of the Eastern United States." He has been awarded numerous research grants and contracts from federal, state, and private agencies and organizations. Prior to university service (during a former life) he taught biology, general science, conservation, geography, and driver education and coached basketball, track, and baseball at the high school and junior high school levels. He also spent several years as a Journeyman member of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornimental Ironworkers. Dr. J. Scott Altenbach is Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He received his Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1971. During his career at the University of New Mexico, he was an award-winning teacher and a graduate mentor; he also maintained an active research program on behavioral biology and conservation of bats. In addition to having written numerous scientific publications on bats, he is a renowned authority on patterns of use of abandoned mines by bats in the Southwest, and he continues to play a key role in developing the technology and rationale for preservation of mines as habitat for bats. Related interests include the technological history of mining. He has developed mining equipment, taught exploration techniques, and evaluated thousands of abandoned mines in the United States for federal, state, and private entities. His specialized expertise includes advising police officers about hazards, safety, and gear needed to investigate crimes in abandoned mines. He has a myriad of interests that include demonstrated expertise on rattlesnakes, mining technology, explosives, steam engines, trains, farming, and photography. He is the foremost photographer of bats, having photographed species from throughout North America and publishing books of his photographs. His photographs have appeared in countless articles, books, and magazines, including National Geographic. In addition to his other activities and interests, he is an accomplished musician and a member of the popular folk group Holy Water and Whiskey. Dr. Troy L. Best is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, Alabama. He received a Ph.D. (1976) and an M.S. (1971) from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, and a B.S. (1967) with majors in biology, anthropology, and secondary education from Eastern New Mexico University, Portales. He also attended New Mexico State University, Las Cruces (1967). Prior to teaching at Auburn University, he served on the faculty of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; Eastern New Mexico University, Portales; and Northeastern University, Boston. He has conducted research in Alabama, the Southwest, Mexico, Argentina, Kenya, and elsewhere on the ecology of bats (especially endangered species), other mammals, birds, and reptiles. He coauthored "Bats of the United States" and was coeditor of Alabama Wildlife. He was coauthor of several educational posters on bats, including "Bats of the Eastern United States" and "Bats of the Western United States" and other posters distributed in Mexico (in Spanish). He has published books, book chapters, and more than 100 scientific articles.