Brian Connolly

Lecturer of Biology

I am research ecologists that focuses on the interactions between plants and animals. I ask research questions looking at how different aspects of global change (e.g., invasive species, urbanization, climate shifts) can modify the nature of these interactions...

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Brian Connolly, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Education & Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D., Botany, Washington State University, 2013

B.Sc., Biology, 杏吧原创, 2007

Courses Taught

BIOL 105 - Information Flow in Biological Systems

BIOL 106 - Energy Flow in Biological Systems

BIOL 105L - Phage Discovery Lab

BIOL 205 - Physiology and Biodiversity

BIOL 205L - Physiology and Biodiversity Lab (writing intensive)

I am research ecologists that focuses on the interactions between plants and animals. I ask research questions looking at how different aspects of global change (e.g., invasive species, urbanization, climate shifts) can modify the nature of these interactions and how these shifting interactions could shape how natural and modified community's are shaped. I am also very interested in exploring how research can be integrated into the college classroom and laboratory; I am always looking for fun new questions to pursue with students and I enjoy working along side students exploring new tools and techniques in biology labs.
  1. Fuka, M,BM Connolly, and JL Orrock (2025). Promoting acorn survival using capsaicin seed coatings is strengthened by the removal of invasive shrubs. Restoration Ecology: e70042.
  2. Connolly, BM, CR Zirbel, C Keller, M Fuka, and JL Orrock (2024). Invasive shrubs differentially alter autumnal activity for three common small mammal species. Ecology 105(9): e4384.
  3. Connolly,BM, N D’Souza, N Zimmerman, and J Zobitz (2024). Breaking it down: What factors control microbial decomposition rates? CourseSource 11: 1-12.
  4. Connolly, BM, C Zirbel, and JL Orrock (2024). Rodent-mediated seed limitation affects woody seedling establishment more than invasive shrubs and downed woody debris. Canadian Journal of Forest Research54(4): 421-430.
  5. Marsack, J, and BM Connolly (2022). Generalist herbivore response to volatile chemical induction varies along a gradient in soil salinization. Scientific Reports 12(1): 1689. DOI:
  6. Penczykowski, RM, BM Connolly, and BT Barton (2017). Winter is changing: trophic interactions under altered snow regimes. Food Webs. 13: 80-91. .