• Ph.D. in Biology, UNC Chapel Hill
• M.S. Biology, UNC Charlotte
• B.S. Biology, UNC Charlotte

Ecology of coastal plant communities and wetlands.

While I am currently interested in coastal plant communities and palm ecology, I have studied interactions in coastal wetland animal species. I try to identify areas of interest that my students have and then try to find a common ground for the research. Most of my recent interests have been focused on the teaching and development of lab activities associated with our General Biology I course. This course is one of the first in the country to use the SCALEUP classroom teaching environment for general biology. I have served as the coordinator for this course and have led the development of a custom lab activity manual that effectively utilizes the course-specific learning environment. The lab manual is now in its 7th edition.

• PCB 3043C General Ecology

Selected publications representing ecological interests:

• Cross, R.E. and A.M. Goebel. Effects of Hurricane Joaquin on the Silver Thatch Palm (Coccorthrinax argentata) on San Salvador Island. in prep.
• Cross, R.E. and B. Jackson, eds. 2022. Laboratory Activities for General Biology I, 7th ed.Bluedoor Publishing, Eden Prairie, MN. 167 pp.
• Curran, M.C. and R.E. Cross. 2008. A comparison of the effects of ray feeding activity on meiofauna in subtidal and intertidal habitats. Georgia Journal of Science. 66(2): 50-60.
• Cross, R.E. and M.C. Curran. 2004. Recovery of meiofauna in intertidal feeding pits created by rays. Southeastern Naturalist. 3: 219-230.
• Cross, R.E. and M.C. Curran. 2000. Effects of feeding pit formation by rays on an intertidal meiobenthic community. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 51: 293-298.
• Cross, R.E. and A.E. Stiven. 1999. Size-dependent interactions in salt marsh fish (Fundulus heteroclitus Linnaeus) and shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 242: 179-199.

Selected recent presentations:

• Cross, R.E. and A.M. Goebel. 2017. Density, size, growth and reproduction in two populations of Caribbean Thatch Palm (Coccothrinax argentata) [family Arecaceae] on San Salvador, the Bahamas: a preliminary report. Proceedings of the First Joint Natural History and Geology of the Bahamas Conference, San Salvador, Bahamas.
• Cross, R.E., P. Fuentes, T. Jacobson, L. Kaas, and A. Goebel. 2016. Identification of Palms on San Salvador Island in the genera Coccothrinax and Leucothrinax [Family Arceaceae] using molecular methods; a preliminary report. Proceedings of the 15th Symposium of the Natural History of the Bahamas.

Recent selected research related grants:

• Capital Venture Funds Grant. 2019, ($6,435). Effects of hurricane storm surge and wind on the silver thatch palm and coastal plant communities: a model and expansion of field studies for threatened populations and communities in South Florida.
• Professional Development Enhancement Award, 2019, ($1000) to support extension of palm biological research in South Florida region (Everglades National Park).
• Undergraduate Student Scholarship Support Award, 2018, ($700) to support undergraduate research experience in the Bahamas: “Field research experience studying the population ecology of the silver thatch palm (Coccothrinax argentata) on San Salvador Island.”
• Undergraduate Student Scholarship Support Award, 2018, ($500) undergraduate research experience in the Bahamas: “Field research experience studying the population ecology of the silver thatch palm (Coccothrinax argentata) on San Salvador Island.”
• Innovative Assignment Design Grant, 2017, ($840) to support the design and implementation of a class project in my General Ecology courses to examine the effects of hurricane Irma on palms on the FGCU campus.
• Teaching Awards:
• Senior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, Florida Gulf Coast University, 2012
• Governor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (South Carolina), 2002
• Professor of the Year Award, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 2001-2002
• Professor of the Year Award, University of South Carolina Beaufort, 1996-1997
• Governor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (South Carolina), 1997