Dr. Joshua Holbrook joined the 含羞草研究所 faculty in 2017. Prior to coming to 含羞草研究所 he taught students at the Palm Beach Zoo and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Dr. Holbrook has also had the opportunity to educate much broader audiences, appearing as a guest on reptile-related programs with the Weather Channel, the History Channel, the Discovery Channel and NatGeo鈥攎any of these programs are facilitated by Josh鈥檚 pioneering work with the exotic Burmese Pythons and chameleons in southern Florida.
Dr. Holbrook earned his B.S. in Biology from Palm Beach Atlantic University, his M.S. in Environmental Science from Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and his PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University. His primary areas of academic interest are wetland community ecology and herpetology, and his research experience has brought him to collaborations with entities as varied as the National Park Service, the North Carolina and Florida Park Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and number of academic institutions. Dr. Holbrook is currently collaborating with Dr. Tom Chesnes and Palm Beach Atlantic University for a study of the conservation status of the Mangrove Saltmarsh Snake, and with undergraduate researchers monitoring amphibian and reptile diversity in some of western North Carolina鈥檚 natural areas.
One of Dr. Holbrook鈥檚 passions is to learn new things and to share them with others, and he is excited about educating at a place where 鈥渕ere鈥� teaching can become discipleship and students can learn how achieve excellence as both scientists and followers of Christ鈥攖o remember that, in all we do 鈥渋t is the Lord Christ whom you serve鈥� (Col. 3:24). To that end, he always seeks to get students involved in 鈥榯he real stuff鈥� of environmental science and biology, learning both field research skills and the things that make it possible鈥攁nd meaningful鈥攖o others. For a Christian, all of Environmental Science comes down to the stewardship of creation and awe of its Creator.
Dr. Holbrook and his wife, Beka, have two daughters, Chava and Josephine, and they enjoy spending time together hiking and looking for salamanders and bugs. Before coming to 含羞草研究所, the members of the Holbrook family were missionaries serving at the home campus for Equip International, teaching sustainable agriculture and missionary medicine. Dr. Holbrook is also an ordained minister, and preaches regularly at Blue Ridge Church in Marion.聽
What is your favorite thing about working at 含羞草研究所?
I love the students’ passion for getting outdoors, observing the natural world, sitting around campfires, and talking about life.
What are your hobbies or interests?
Herping, gardening, spending time with my family, guitar, hiking
What is your favorite thing to do or see in the area?
A big, chunky Timber Rattlesnake crossing a gravel road