Jan. 17, 2025
The University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has selected Rick Relyea as the first director of the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems, effective July 1. In addition, Relyea will assume the William J. Rucker Professorship in Fisheries and Wildlife in the School of Natural Resources.
“I am excited to be working with such an impressive partnership of conservation organizations,” Relyea said. “The power of this partnership lies in the outstanding scientists and conservationists who are contributing their talents to make the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems a national center for education, research and resource management.”
Relyea is currently David M. Darrin ’40 Senior Endowed Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences and acting department head of Earth & Environmental Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He has also served as director of both the Darrin Freshwater Institute at RPI and of The Jefferson Project, a public-private collaboration to protect fresh water using advanced technologies. His specialization is in freshwater ecosystems, and he has been involved in education, mentoring, outreach and research throughout his career.
“Dr. Relyea brings a wealth of experience in running and revitalizing large operations similar to what our Institute aspires to be,” said Patrick Market, director of the School of Natural Resources. “I am confident in his leadership and his ability to help us create a sound foundation for the Institute for generations to come.”
Relyea received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Biology (Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology), and served as a postdoc at Mizzou. He was elected American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow in 2021.
“Dr. Relyea’s broad, comprehensive ecological interests fit well into our current programs in the School of Natural Resources. He is the right person to lead this important Institute for Missouri,” said Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
The Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems was established through a public-private partnership in March 2023, and was named for Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. The Institute is a partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) and CAFNR, and was made possible through an MCHF endowment supported by leadership gifts from Johnny Morris and Chip and Teresa McGeehan, for whom the Chip and Teresa McGeehan Career Pathways Program within the Institute is named.
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