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Patrick A. Logan

This CV was updated in April 2015.

Education

Employment (University of Rhode Island)

Awards & Honors

Teaching

I developed and taught “Systems Concepts for Biologists” as a graduate course in 1981 and taught it four more times as “Systems Science for Ecologists” through 1992. I taught numerical methods and C++ applied to model dynamic, complex, and non-linear ecological systems, focusing on modeling problems such as insect population dynamics and energy flow through marine systems (tailored to fit the interest of students in each class).

In 1989, I developed Aquatic Entomology, a field-oriented course, linking biology to ecology, following the approach of Merritt and Cummins (for whom I TA'd at Michigan State). I taught this course regularly until 2005.

I developed Graduate Writing in the Life Sciences (now, a seminar) in 1987 in conjunction with Sue Fisher Vaughn. Graduate writing focuses on content and structure of journal articles, thesis/dissertation, reviews, grants, popular press, and writing for the web. We address style and readability, including formatting for print or screen.

I led creation of the MS in Entomology in 1993. In 1994, the University eliminated it under the Program Contribution Analysis (Science, April 19, 1995). Since 2000 we have averaged over a dozen graduate students in entomology annually (degree in Natural Resources Science).

From 2003 through 2005 I taught EVS534X Concepts in Client-side Web Development (Fall 2003 and 2004) and EVS536X Concepts in Server-side Web Development (Spring 2004 and 2005).

In 2005, given an increasingly hostile work environment in CELS, I requested transfer to the Department of Communication Studies to teach web development, with a joint appointment in writing to teach both graduate and undergraduate science writing courses.

Mentored by Dr. Kevin McClure and Chair Dr. Lynne Derbyshire, I refined the two web development courses, the client-side (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) COM271 and the server-side (PHP, MySQL) COM372, overcoming considerable resistence in the FacSen Curricular Affairs Committee. CAC held that web development was not appropriate for a university-level curriculum until I produced a survey (my own research) of 134 leading research universities (Carnegie I & II old-system) showing at least 80 offering substantive (equivalent of minor or major) web curricula.

I also recognized a void in Communication Studies course offerings and developed a full semester on the communications and rhetoric of science, exploring this through a series of topic offerings (COM310 and 410) until getting approval as a permanent offering, COM455 Science & Communications in a Century of Limits for Fall 2010.

I extended the idea of COM455 as a freshman Grand Challenge course in Fall 2011; this went well and is now in its third year. In the summer of 2012, I added extensive online footnoting and an InDesign two-column print formatted PDF of all lecture notes.

I offered a topics course (COM410), Communicating Science, Fall 2014 and Spring 2015.

I maintain a blog dedicated to studies of the future and higher education's role in such studies, for the advancement of pedagogy on matters of global climate change, resource depletion, and over-population. The blog is at URL http://www.com.uri.edu/logan/blog/index.php.

Syllabi for all current offerings are online at http://www.uri.edu/artsci/com/Logan/logan.html.

Teaching Since 2005 (Communication Studies and College Writing Program)

Graduate Students (as Major Professor)

Other Experience with Graduate Education

I was director of graduate studies for Plant Sciences from 1990 to 1993. I wrote a graduate education manual (16 pages), for students and faculty for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs.

I was lead author on a Report of the Graduate Council Select Committee on the Future of Graduate Education at URI in 1991.

For the past several years, I regularly serve on graduate committees as members or chair, with a frequency of approximately 3-4 per year.

Research

Prior to 2005, my research interests focused on aquatic entomology, computer simulation of population dynamics of insect populations, and the general subject of public university research.

I worked on the population dynamics of the Colorado potato beetle (1977 - 1980) and its biological control (1980 - 1993).

I helped create the potato integrated pest management program, the prototype for four U.S.D.A. Northeast Regional IPM projects; with Dave Leonard, I co-edited and wrote a 5-year regional AES potato project in 1983. My research emphasized population dynamics and a variety of management techniques—including antifeedants, crop manipulations, and biological control—evaluated through laboratory and field studies. My studies of biological control of Leptinotarsa species in Mexico in the 1980's revealed two dozen previously unknown natural enemies and led to a RI field release of one species of mite for biological control. In 1994, U.R.I. opened the Insect Rearing and Quarantine Facility, which I and colleague Richard Casagrande started in 1986.

Concerns over water quality and environmental stewardship motivate my interest in aquatic insects. I concentrated on taxonomy and natural history to identify, inventory, and protect local species.

I also worked on the ecology and natural history of aquatic insects, with a focus on the Queens, Beaver, and Wood River systems, prior to 2005.

I have also maintained a research interest in the public function and structure of academic research itself. Periodic thought pieces on this subject are filed in an archive: http://www.uri.edu/artsci/com/Logan/archive.html. More recently, writing on these interests have been periodically posted through my academic blog. Representative entries (late 2011) include:

• Is Web Development on the Right Track at URI?, Sep. 30, 2013.
• Problem Statement, Jan. 29, 2013.
• Communicating Science, Jan. 27, 2013.
• Critical Enabling Technology, Jan. 25, 2013.
• Assuming Sustainability, Dec. 17, 2012.

My entomology research career essentially ended when I entered administration in 1993. Upon returning to the ranks in 2000, I was given no support or laboratory space from CELS, making a return to research in that college would be impossible for me. I switched efforts to developing a teaching career and departed CELS in 2005.

Research since moving to A&S in 2005 has mainly focused on scholarship on the rhetoric and communication of science, and most of this is manifested in teaching now. Extensive lecture notes (online) may provide the basis for a text on science and communication to address contemporary public science issues, and I expect to submit a draft of this text to publishers during 2012.

In 2013 I completed a preliminary database, "Science Communication & Writing Curricula at Select Universities," (www.com.uri.edu/scicom/) with a summary report and 10 appendices. This study will inform development of a strategic plan within Communication Studies and the Harrington School for future of science communication. In parallel, a database and report on web development within communication and writing programs (reported as an appendix to the above) will be used to develop a proposal for planning future curricula for this critical enabling technology. This database is being shared with COMPASS at Washington State, who will develop it further under an NSF grant.

Publications

Ph.D. Dissertation, 1977

Development of Improved Density Estimators for Larvae of the Cereal Leaf Beetle, Oulema melanopus (L). Michigan State University.

Book Chapter

Logan, P. A. 1981. Estimating and Projecting Colorado Potato Beetle Density and Potato Yield Loss. In Lashomb, J. H. and R. A. Casagrande, eds., Advances in Potato Pest Management. Hutchinson and Ross, Stroundsburg, Pa. 288 p.

Refereed Journal Articles

Logan, P. A., F. W. Stehr, & R. J. Sauer. 1976. Subcolonization and buildup of Tetrastichus julis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a larval parasitoid of the cereal leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Great Lakes Entomologist 9: 75-78.

Logan, P. A. 1980. Spatial distribution of cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus (L)) eggs and larvae and treatment of count data. Environ. Entomol. 9: 186-189.

Logan, P. A. & R. A. Casagrande. 1980. Predicting Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) density and potato yield loss. Env. Ent. 9: 659-63.

Hare, J. D., P. A. Logan, & R. J. Wright. 1983. Suppression of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) populations with antifeedant fungicides. Environ. Entomol. 12: 1470-1477.

Watt, B. A., R. A. LeBrun, & P. A. Logan. 1984. Pesticide effects on germination of Beauveria bassiana. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 82: 714-716.

Drummond, F. A., R. A. Casagrande, R. L. Chauvin, T. M. Atkinson, T. H. Hsiao, J. A. Lashomb, & P. A. Logan. 1984. Distribution and new host records of a race of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort attacking the Colorado potato beetle in Mexico. Internat. J. Acarol. 10: 179-180.

Drummond, F. A., R. G. Van Driesche, & P. A. Logan. 1985. Model for the temperature-dependent emergence of overwintering Phyllonorycter crataegella (Clemen) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae),and its parasitoid, Sympiesis marylandensis Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Environ. Entomol. 14: 305-311.

Logan, P. A., R. A. Casagrande, H. H. Faubert, & F. A. Drummond. 1985. Temperature dependent development and feeding of immature Colorado potato beetles, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Env. Ent. 14: 275-283.

Drummond, F. A., P. A. Logan, R. A. Casagrande, & F. A. Gregson. 1985. Host specificity tests of Chrysomelobia labidomerae, a mite parasitic on the Colorado potato beetle. Internat. J. Acarol. 11: 169-72.

Drummond, F. A., D. B. Wallace, P. A. Logan, & L. A. Tewksbury. 1986. Homeowner plant pest problems diagnosed at a plant protection clinic. Appl. Agric. Res. 1: 115-119.

Logan, P. A., R. A. Casagrande, T. H. Hsiao, & F. A. Drummond. 1987. Collections of natural enemies of Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Mexico, 1980-1985. Entomophaga 32: 249-254.

Casagrande, R. A., P. A. Logan, & W. E. Wallner. 1987. A development model for Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar (L). Environ. Entomol. 16: 556-562.

Drummond, F. A., R. A. Casagrande, & P. A. Logan. 1988. Behavior of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort parasitizing the Colorado potato beetle. Internat. J. Acarol. 14: 193-198.

Drummond, F.A., R. A. Casagrande, & P. A. Logan. 1989. Population dynamics of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, a parasite of the Colorado potato beetle. Internat. J. Acarol. 15: 31-45.

Cappaert, D. L., F. A. Drummond, & P. A. Logan. 1991. Incidence of natural enemies of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae] on a native host in Mexico. Entomophaga 36: 110-117.

Cappaert, D. L., F. A. Drummond, & P. A. Logan. 1991. Population dynamics of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on a native host in Mexico. Environ. Entomol. 20: 1549 - 1555.

Drummond, F. A., R. A. Casagrande, & P. A. Logan. 1992. Impact of the parasite, Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, on the Colorado potato beetle. Internat. J. Acarol. 18: 107-115.

Gauthier, N. L., P. A. Logan, L. A. Tewksbury, C. F. Hollingsworth, D. C. Weber, and R. G. Adams. 1992. Field bioassay of pheromone lures and trap designs for monitoring corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie),(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) adults in sweet corn in southern New England. J. Econ. Entomol.

Lu, W., & P. A. Logan. 1993. Induction of Feeding on Potato in Mexican Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ. Entomol. 22: 759-765.

Lu, W., & P. A. Logan. 1994. Effects of Potato Association on Oviposition Behavior of Mexican Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ. Entomol. 23 (1): 85 - 90.

Lu, W., & P. A. Logan. 1994. Inheritance of Larval Body Color in Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 87 (4): 454 - 459.

Lu, W., & P. A. Logan. 1994. Geographic Variation in Larval Feeding Acceptance and Performance of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 87 (4): 460 - 469.

Lu, W., & P. A. Logan. 1994. Genetic Variation in Oviposition Between and within Populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 87 (5): 634 - 640.

Lu, W. & P. A. Logan. 1995. Inheritance of Host-Related Feeding and Ovipositional Behaviors in Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Environ. Entomol. 24 (2): 278 - 287.

Other Publications

Logan, P. A. 1978. ORCHARD: A predator-prey interactions game. Student and programmers guides. Michigan State Univ. Press, 26 p. each.

Logan, P. A. 1980. ALFWEEV: An interactive alfalfa pest management game. Mich. St. Univ. Pr. Student, Teacher, and Programmer manuals (3), approx. 30 p. each.

NE-154: Integrated Pest Management for Potatoes. 1983. Regional Research Project, U. S. D. A., Cooperative States Research Service.

Helmer, L. & P. A. Logan. 1996. The Diversity of Macroinvertebrates in Ponds Associated with Cranberry Production in Southern Massachusetts. Technical report to the Cranberry Institute, Wareham, Ma.

Logan, P.A. 1999. Reinventing the Research University: A Blueprint for the University of Rhode Island. URI Research Office. 21 p. ((PDF))

Logan, P.A. 2001. Research Benchmarks: Funding University Research Operations and Infrastructure. RI Economic Policy Council. 60 p. ((PDF); also RIEPC).

Logan, P.A. 2005. Web Development Curricula in Research Universities (http://www.pse.uri.edu/itwd/index.htm), an online database and analysis.

Grants Received

Extension

From 1978 to 1987 my appointment was 60-80% integrated pest management extension activities on potatoes or sweet corn.

Late Blight Forecasting. I modified computer code for Penn State's BLITECAST to help growers forecast potato late blight disease for nearly 200 Rhode Island potato fields, the finest, highest density potato disease network in the world from 1979 to 1984.

Potato IPM Newsletters. From 1978 to 1984, I wrote a series of newsletters to growers on pesticide efficacy and safety, pest biology, and agronomic practice, pooling my own contributions with other faculty.

Pesticide Clearances. I initiated Section 18 and 24C (FIFRA) clearances for use of Kryocide and Rotenone against the potato beetle, collecting considerable data on economic impact of pests, assessing alternative pesticides, and conducting some field tests.

Sweet Corn Program. I organized the program in sweet corn IPM in 1984, using pheromone baited traps to detect immigration of corn earworm and fall armyworm moths. The program was taken over by growers in 1987 and it continues today in collaboration with URI and the State's DEM.

PlantProtection Clinic. In 1983 I was the principal motivator behind the establishment of the Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Center. I wrote protocols and lobbied faculty and administration. The Center opened in 1986; it remains active today as the CE Education Center.

Gypsy Moth Forecasting. In 1983 I assembled the SYMAP computer code needed to project Gypsy moth infestation levels statewide at 205 sites; it was used for many years by the RI Department of Environmental Management.

Public Information Requests. I regularly answer requests for entomological information from a variety of people on such topics as suspected tropical spiders on bananas, termites and carpenter ants, boxelder bugs, etc. I testified on the entomological evidence at a celebrated local baby murder trial in 1986.

Other Service

I have taken an active interest in all aspects of the University itself, accepting committee assignments or individual roles, often going beyond normal expectations of faculty. I have gone out of my way to seek better understanding of the University and its place in the state, and to communicate my ideas to the campus community, to the local citizenry, and to the broader state public as well. This has taken a considerable commitment on my part, but if I am asked what have I done to make the University a better place?, I think the following is an essential part of my reply.

The Media

I have contributed about a dozen letters and columns concerning URI or the Agricultural Experiment Station to the local Narragansett Times and occasionally the Providence Journal.

Departmental Service

Database Development (2013-2015): I built two databases: "Science Communication & Writing Curricula at Select Universities" and "Web Development in Communications Curricula at Select Universities." These serve as benchmarks and national assessments for possible growth into these two critical areas at URI.

Director of Graduate Studies (1991 - 1993): I assembled all the necessary documentation for the creation of a masters degree program in Entomology, and chaperoned the program through Departmental, College, and University processes through to final approval in 1993. I have worked hard to promote the entomology program (e.g., a 23 page "Entomology at URI -- 1976 to 1991: A Review and Prospectus," in 1986). The first ENT coded courses were offered in the Fall of 1993.

Department Web Coordinator (PLS: 2002 - 2005 | COM: 2005-2011): I maintained web sites for the departments of plant science and communication science.

College Service

College Seminar Committee (1982 - 1983): I co-chaired this effort, which brought in Ira Magaziner, Claudine Schneider, Herman Koenig, William Cooper, and notable environmentalists. I hosted receptions for three of these speakers in my home.

CRD Computer Advisory Committee (1988-1994, chair 1988-1991): The committee's efforts and grant-writing resulted in the successful funding of the Woodward Hall Instructional Computer Facility in 1991. I supervised a complete upgrading of the lab in 1996.

CRD Life and Environmental Sciences Building Committee (1990): This committee operated in parallel with a Life and Environmental Sciences Task Force (below) to help define College building needs for the later 1990's. I was the only member of both the building committee and the Task Force.

Interim Associate Dean and Director (1993 - 1995): I was asked to be the Associate Dean (and Associate Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension) over several senior faculty and at a time of unprecedented turmoil at the University. I largely played the role of "internal Dean" while Dean Miller focused on statewide Cooperative Extension constituencies and national concerns.

A&S Dean's Web Coordinator (2005 - ~2011): I upgraded and maintained the Dean-level web site for the College of Arts and Sciences, including the initial branding upgrade.

University Service

Faculty Senate ad hoc University Planning Office Committee (1982). This was one of 10 strategic planning committees established by the President to bring URI to the fore among the nation's land grant institutions.

Computer Policy Advisory Committee (1983). This committee in part emerged from concerns raised repeatedly by me and a few other Computer Center critics. It is still the chief faculty advisory body.

Greenhouse Compact Impact Assessment Committee (1983). Part of a state-wide planning effort led by Clinton advisor Ira Magaziner.

University Long Range Budget Planning Committee (1989). I chaired a subcommittee on underfunding.

Life and Environmental Sciences Task Force. (1990). Charged by the Provost to define the mission and working structure of a new College, combining major elements of the College of Resource Development with four life science departments from the College of Arts and Sciences. I chaired the mission subcommittee.

Graduate Council (1990 - 1993). Chair of the Select Committee on the Future of Graduate Education at the University of Rhode Island (1991 - 1992). This committee characterized the nature of graduate education and critical issues of support for graduate education at URI, and outlined a revision of the Graduate Education Manual.

Faculty Senate (1992 - 1993). College representative.

University Space Allocation Advisory Committee (1997). Chair of the most dangerous committee on campus.

Director, RI AES (1996-2001): I was asked to become Director and Associate Dean in 1996, but I prevailed in having the University split this position, leaving me Director. I concentrated on modernizing fiscal and technical support, focusing Station resources on targetted priorities, developing a state line-item for the Station, enhancing support for research at the University, and organizational reform

Interim Director, RI CE (1999-2001): I agreed to a two-year assignment as Extension Director so that I could integrate the Plan of Work in conjunction with the RIAES, and to more effectively implement a transformation to outcome-based project management.

Extramural Service

Technical writing committee NEC-57: Urban Integrated Pest Management (1983).

Peer reviewer for the Northcentral IPM Special Grants Program (1984 - 1986). I served as one of two entomologists on a panel to decide how to spend about $800,000 on projects relating to potato, livestock, and small grains integrated pest management. I reviewed about two dozen proposals each year.

Northeast CES IPM Coordinators Committee (1980 - 1987). This group met annually to coordinate regional integrated pest management projects and to monitor progress for Washington.

Regional research project NE-154 technical committee, Potato IPM (1983-1992).

Limited Input Sustainable Agriculture technical review panel (1989 - 1990): I reviewed some 30 proposals in each year as part of a regional project.

Northeast Pesticide Impact Assessment Program technical review panel (1995-2000).

Founder and Board Member of the Samual Slater Center of Excellence in Environmental Biotechnology (1999-2001).

Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Northease Regional Aquaculture Center (1997-2001).

Chair, New England Cooperative Extension Directors (2000/2001).

NE-176 Regional Research Project ("Plant Responses to Ozone") admin. advisor (1996-2001).

Professional Society Service Entomology Society of America, 1972 - 1988; 1990. I served on the program committee for the eastern branch in 1983 and the auditing committee in 1988

Other:

· I coached soccer from 1987 to 2003, including recreational and travel teams, boys and girls, from U9 to U-16.

· I had a state Foster Care license for 3 years, fostered 5 children during that time, adopting daughter MacKenzie in 2004.