More Biology Profiles

Dr. William A. Shear

Trinkle Professor of Biology
Gilmer Hall , 108
(434) 223-6172
wshear@hsc.edu

Education

Ph.D., Harvard University, 1971; M.A., University of New Mexico, 1965; A.B., College of Wooster, 1963.

Teaching Interests

General Biology
Microbiology
Entomology
Invertebrate Zoology
Animal Behavior
Evolutionary Theory
History of Life
Population Biology
Committee Assignments & Service to the College
Admissions Committee, 2002-2003
Biology Department Chair, 2000-2004
Dean Search Committee, 2000
Beautification Committee, 2000-
Ad-hoc Committee on Disability Leave Policy, 1998
Dean Search Committee, 1998
Gender Issues Committee, 1997-1998
Committee on Professional Development, 1997-1999

Most Recent Publications

2003e. The milliped family Trichopetalidae, Part 1: Introduction and genera Trigenotyla Causey, Nannopetalum n. gen., and Causeyella n. gen. (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Cleidogonoidea). Zootaxa 321:1-26.

2003d. A second species in the rare milliped family Apterouridae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida). Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.

2003c. Microlympiidae, a new milliped family from North America, and Microlympia echina, new genus and species (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Brannerioidea). Zootaxa 243:1-11.

2003b. Branneria bonoculus, n. sp., a second species in the North American milliped family Branneriidae (Diplopod: Chordeumatida: Brannerioidea). Zootaxa 233:1-7.

2003a. Milliped phylogeny revisted in the light of the enigmatic order Siphoniulida. J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Research 41:87-99 (with P. Sierwald, R. Shelley and J. Bond).

2002b. The milliped genus Metopidiothrix Attems (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Metopidiotrichidae). Invert. Syst. 16:849-892.

2002a. Five new chordeumatidan millipeds from China: New species of Vieteuma (Kashmireumatidae) and Nepalella (Megalotylidae). Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 53:63-72.

2001b. Two new cave-dwelling harvestmen from Western Australia (Arachnida: Opiliones: Assamiidae and "Phalangodidae"). Rec. W. Austr. Mus., Sppl. 64:153-158.

Honors & Awards

Charles Patterson Distinguished Professor of Biology, 1991-

Adjunct Graduate Professor, University of North Carolina System (Western Carolina University), 1988-2001

Adjunct Professor, Center for Evolution and the Palaeoenvironment, State University of New York, Binghamton, 1987-1993

Senior Scientific Associate, Virginia Museum of Natural History, 1996-present (lifetime appointment)

Research Associate, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 1987-1990.

Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History, 1973-present.

Nominee for Outstanding Scientist in Virginia, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1999

John Peter Mettauer Award for Research, 1989 and 1979

Professional Affiliations

Society of Sigma XI
American Arachnological Society (President 1987-1989, Director, 1989-1991, member of editorial board)
British Arachnological Society
Centre International pour le Documentation Arachnologique
Centre International de Myriapodologique
The Paleontological Society
The Palaeontological Association (UK)

Other Interests

Author of The Gardener's Iris Book (Taunton Press, 1999).

Chair of Grants and Research Committee, American Iris Society

Shodan (black belt) in Shorin-ryu Shorin-kan traditional Okinawan karate; National Karate Federation National Champion, 2002; Amateur Athletic Union National Champion in short and long Kobudo, Kata and Kumite, 2003.

Family

Spouse: Noelle Prince Shear
Children:
Justin Kennedy