Dr. Tim McCay is the Dunham Beldon Jr. Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Colgate University where he teaches ecology and biostatistics. His work has focused largely on the forest floor and how it is affected by environmental changes. Recent NSF funding has supported research into the effects of calcium depletion and amendment on forest-floor food webs.
Tim collaborates with a tight-knit group of earthworm ecologists to better understand the dynamics and effects of jumping worm invasion in the Northeast. These wriggly invaders are hated by gardeners and feared by forest ecologists throughout the region. Tim hopes that by better understanding the invasion pathways and ecosystem effects of jumping worms, managers can be provided with tools to mitigate their negative effects. Tim is a member of JWORM, the Jumping Worm Outreach, Research, and Management Working Group of the New York Invasive Species Research Institute (NYISRI). He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Ecological Research as Education Network, an organization dedicated to collaborative ecological research that involves undergraduate students.
Tim enjoys outdoor activities in Central New York with his wife, Deanna, who holds a leadership position in a scientific consortium, and their two children.