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Frank Jordan

Chair and Moon and Verna Landrieu Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences

Education

Ph.D. in Zoology from University of Florida

M.S. in Biological Sciences from Florida State University

B.S. in Biological Sciences from Florida State University

Departments

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Environment

Expertise

  • Biological Sciences

Bio

Dr. Jordan joined the Department of Biological Sciences in 1997. His philosophy about teaching is that faculty should strive to make their courses both interesting and challenging. He believes that faculty should set high expectations, clearly articulate these expectations, and create a friendly and supportive learning environment that encourages students to go beyond these expectations. Faculty should engage students in discussions about major concepts, get them into the lab and field early and often to test hypotheses about these concepts, and encourage them to develop written and oral skills necessary to effectively communicate their findings to others. 

Collaborative Research with Students

Dr. Jordan and his students study the ecology of freshwater and estuarine systems, with special emphasis on the biology, management, and conservation of fishes. He is also interested in developing and evaluating new methods for monitoring and modeling population dynamics of aquatic organisms

Dr. Jordan is always seeking highly motivated students to conduct research in his lab. Send an email or drop by his office to discuss research openings. Note that names with asterisks in the Recent Publications section below indicate student co-authors! 

Classes Taught

  • Animal Behavior
  • Biology of Fishes
  • Biology of Organisms lecture and lab
  • Ecology & Evolution
  • Marine Biology and Conservation
  • Tropical Ecology (study abroad to Belize, Roatan, Ecuador, etc.)
  • Marine Ecology and Marine Fish Ecology (LUMCON courses)

Areas of Expertise

  • Ecology
  • Conservation
  • Wetlands
  • Streams
  • Fishes
  • Marine Biology
  • Narfling the Garthok

Publications

  • Jordan, F., L.G. Nico, K. Huggins, P.J. Martinat, D.A. Martinez*, and V.L. Rodrigues*. 2020. Discovery of a reproducing wild population of the swamp eel Amphipnous cuchia in North America. BioInvasions Records 9:367-374.
  • Reeves*, D.B., W.B. Tate, H.L. Jelks, and F. Jordan. 2016. Response of Okaloosa Darters to stream restoration. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:1375-1385, 2016.
  • Jordan, F. and D.A. Arrington. 2014. Piscivore responses to enhancement of the damaged Kissimmee River ecosystem. Restoration Ecology 22:418-425.
  • Holt*, D.E., H.L. Jelks, and F. Jordan. 2013. Movement and longevity of imperiled Okaloosa Darters (Etheostoma okaloosae). Copeia 2013:653-659.
  • Austin, J. D., H.L. Jelks, W. Tate, A. R. Johnson, and F. Jordan. 2011. Population genetic structure and conservation genetics of endangered Okaloosa darters (Etheostoma okaloosae). Conservation Genetics 12:981-989.