INTRODUCTION:My three main areas of scholarly interest are: 1. ant research; 2. tropical biology; and 3. human anatomy and physiology. My research primarily involves field work on the natural history of ants. The following summarizes my philosophy:
"Naturalists are opportunists. They love not merely the subject, but the whole idea of the subject. Their primary aim is to learn as much as possible about all aspects of the species that give them a asthetic pleasure. Organisms are their totems, to be venerated and put to the service of science" (Journey to the Ants 1994 by Holldobler and Wilson).I believe it is essential for a naturalist to gain a world view. As a result, I have offered travel courses, studied ants in Australia, and observed wildlife in other countries. These experiences broaden my perspective and that of my students. They also provide first-hand accounts to enliven and augment lectures, even in classes where they might not seem germane. For example, my travels have given me insight into the physiological problems associated with altitude sickness, heat stroke, and diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis , sleeping sickness, and elephantiasis that I discuss in my anatomy and physiology classes.I believe it is important to disseminate scientific knowledge to a broad-based constituency. As a result, I publish not only in scientific journals read by a few hundred or thousand professionals, but also magazines that reach the general public. The public must be educated because they ultimately fund our university positions and research and vote on an increasing number of scientific and technological issues.
PROFESSOR PROFILE: JOHN RICHARD CONWAY III, PH.D.
Education:
M.A. (Zoology) University of Colorado
Ph.D. (Biology) University of Colorado
Son-John (JJ) - Pilot
Dog- "Flash," a Sheltie
Driving my wife's Mustang convertible
Watching beautiful sunsets (my favorite time of the day)
Working out
Listening to music
Observing wildlife in its natural
habitat
Climbing some of the largest sand dunes in the world at Sossusvlei, Namibia
Seeing welwitschias in the Namibian desert, some of the oldest and most bizarre plants in the world.
Climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (a personal all-time high at 18,500 ft)
Seeing the profusion of wildlife in the Serengeti including a leopard with its kill in a tree
Coming face to face with mountain gorillas in Zaire and having a large male silverback brush past me
Hiking the Inca trail in Peru
Horombo Huts and giant lobelias on Kilimanjaro climb
Hiking the Himalayas in Nepal
Viewing Wildlife such as Oryx in Etosha National Park in Namibia
Going on elephant safari for black rhino and tiger in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Meeting with the Masai in Kenya, Africa
Facing white rhino on foot at Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe
Diving on the reefs of Belize
Climbing pyramids and exploring the ruins of Tikal in Guatemala
Completing the Tour du Mont Blanc-a two-week hike around Mt Blanc through the French, Italian and Swiss Alps
Riding the gondola to Aiguille du Midi, a spectacular complex on a sheer pinnacle overlooking glaciers, Mt Blanc and Chamonix
Scuba Diving in Micronesia
1. Masked Bannerfish
2. Sea Anemone with pink anemone fish
3. Moray Eel
4. Napolean Wrasse
Native dancers at Kaday Village, Yap
Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
1. Torres Overlook
2. Guanaco
Hiking in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
1. Fitz Roy overlook
2. Lago Phehoe and mountains
Perito Moreno glacier, Argentina
Iguazu Falls on border of Argentina and Brazil
Scarlet macaws along beach in Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica
Red poison dart frog on Red Frog Beach, Bastimentos Island, Panama
Red-eyed tree frog near Cahuita, Costa Rica
Overlook of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Sugar Loaf
weights-alternate biceps/pecs and triceps/lats
aerobic-alternate swimming (40 lengths) and running or racquetball/tennis
Biological Stations:
Hobbies:
Travel:
Personal Foibles:
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF CREEDO:
Beliefs
March to your own drummer!
The major human drives (that make the world go round) involve the pursuit of health, happiness, sex, power, knowledge, religion, fame and fortune.
Travel is one of the best educational experiences.
Moderation in all things (except exercise).
Focus on improving yourself and taking care of your family before trying to influence others.
Science amd logic have been the major forces in human progress.
Biology is religion. To understand the meaning of life you must study it.
Life operates through random chaotic chance. It has no meaning or morality, these are human artifacts.
Believe in yourself, but keep your ego in check.
Overpopulation is the main problem and threat to the environment and to the existence and quality of life of the human species.
Institutions persist but expend employees in the process.
TV is the opiate of the masses.
Pro-choice
Pro-euthanasia
Americans are too materialistic.
Life is a mental and physical adventure.
The world is my home.
Work defines a person's self esteem and worth.
Frugality is a virtue.
The amount of desirable and livable
land in the world is very limited.
To continue to learn throughout life.
To develop both mind and body.
To pursue health, happiness, and knowledge.
To leave something for posterity. Not only children, but an intellectual or artistic legacy.
To seek and experience the most beautiful and exotic places and cultures in the world.
To learn from these cultures and experiences and incorporate the best aspects into my life.
To be professional.
To seek a balance between the two types of knowledge:intellectual and common sense.
To strike a balance in life between work, play, career, and family.
To do something I enjoy every day.
To live life and not postpone dreams.
To invest in life experience as well as tangible possessions and assets.
To avoid financial and personal debt.
To diversify my investments.
JYE (justify your existence). With over 6 billion people on earth, every person should be a productive member of society to justify his/her existence on this overcrowded planet.
