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  Department of Land Resources Faculty
Degree Programs | Courses | Faculty | Scholarships | Forest Technology Video



Milan C. Vavrek
Associate Professor of Natural Resource Management
Office: Eberle Hall 201C
Phone: 304-462-6375
Milan.Vavrek@glenville.edu

Academic Degrees
Ph.D., Biology, West Virginia University, 1994
M.S., Biology, West Virginia University, 1990
B.S., Botany, Kent State University, 1978

Professional Experience

2006- Associate Professor, Department of Land Resources, Glenville State College
1996-2006 (2004-2006) Scott Weathersby Professor in Biological Sciences, (2002-2006) Associate Professor, (1996-2002) Assistant Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University
1994-1996 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, West Virginia University
1994-1996 Summer Biology Instructor, Health Careers Opportunity Program, Health Sciences, West Virginia University

Teaching and/or Administrative Duties

Courses include:
Air/Water/Soil Quality
Environmental Compliance
Environmental Science
Health and Safety
Natural Resource Management
Plant Disease and Insect Control
Soils/Land Reclamation
Solid Waste Management

Selected Research Publications and/or Successful Grants

Selected Publications

Vavrek, M.C., H.E. Hunt, D.L. Vavrek, B. Early and S. Brown. 2007. Development of an oil brine spill restoration plan: Field assessment 2005 and 2006. Louisiana Applied and educational Oil Spill Research and development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 07.
Thoma, G., M. Vavrek, H. Hunt and K. 2007. Fiber rolls as a tool for re-vegetation of oil-brine contaminated watersheds. Integrated Petroleum Environmental Consortium (IPEC) Final Report.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, D.L. Vavrek and W. Colgan III. 2005. Development of a brine spill site restoration plan: Preliminary work and conference. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 05.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, D.L. Vavrek, W. Colgan III and W.C. Campbell. 2004. Development of a brine spill site restoration plan: Preliminary work. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 04.
Vavrek, M.C. and W. Colgan III. 2003. Restoration of an oil spill site: Hydroseeding. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. 2002. Revegetation of oil brine spill sites. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 02-012.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. 2001. The role of plant-bacteria-fungal interaction in remediation of oak-hickory-pine systems. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 2000. Phytoremediation of petroleum: Identification of plant traits that enhance degradation. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 00-012.
Vavrek, M.C., N. Fetcher, J.B. McGraw, G.R. Shaver, F.S. Chapin III and B. Bovard. 1999. Recovery of species diversity in tundra following disturbance. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 31: 254-258.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 1999. Use of donor seed banks in terrestrial vegetation recovery after an oil spill. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 99-009.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 1999. Development of a sensitivity index for plant responses to applied oil. Louisiana Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program, OSRADP Technical Report Series 98-011.
Vavrek, M.C. 1998. Within-population genetic diversity of Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae): Differential genotype response and effect on interspecific competition. American Journal of Botany 85: 947-954.
Vavrek, M.C., J.B. McGraw and H.S. Yang. 1997. Within-population variation in demography of Taraxacum officinale: Season- and size-dependent survival, growth, and reproduction. Journal of Ecology 85: 277-287.
Vavrek, M.C., J.B. McGraw and H.S. Yang. 1996. Within-population variation in demography of Taraxacum officinale: Maintenance of genetic diversity. Ecology 77: 2098-2107.
Vavrek, M.C., J.B. McGraw and C.C. Bennington. 1991. Ecological genetic variation in seed banks. III. Phenotypic and genetic differentiation of plants from young and old subpopulations of Carex bigelowii. Journal of Ecology 79: 645-662.
Bennington, C.C., J.B. McGraw and M.C. Vavrek. 1991. Ecological genetic variation in seed banks. II. Phenotypic and genetic differentiation of plants from young and old subpopulations of Luzula parviflora. Journal of Ecology 79: 627-643.
McGraw, J.B., M.C. Vavrek and C.C. Bennington. 1991. Ecological genetic variation in seed banks. I. Establishment of a time-transect. Journal of Ecology 79: 617-625.
McGraw, J.B., K.W. Gottschalk, M.C. Vavrek and A.L. Chester. 1990. Interactive effects of resource availabilities and defoliation on photosynthesis, growth, and mortality of red oak seedlings. Tree Physiology 7: 247-254.
McGraw, J.B. and M.C. Vavrek. 1989. The role of buried viable seeds in arctic and alpine plant communities. In: Leck, M.A., V.T. Parker, and R.L. Simpson (Eds.), Ecology of Seed Banks, Academic Press, San Diego, CA., pp. 91-106.

Selected Grants

Cain, B.W., M.C. Vavrek and W. Colgan III. 2005-2007. Use of mycorrhizal fungi to restore refuge land degraded by produced water (brine). US Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Contaminants Program, On-Refuge Investigations Sub-Activity.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, D. Vavrek, W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. 2005. Development of an oil brine spill restoration plan: Preliminary work (YR 3) and meeting. LA Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Thoma, G., M.C. Vavrek, H. Hunt, D. Vavrek, W. Colgan III and K. Sublette. 2005. Fiber rolls as a tool for re-vegetation of oil-brine contaminated watersheds. Integrated Petroleum Environmental Consortium.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, D. Vavrek, W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. 2004. Development of an oil brine spill restoration plan: Preliminary work (YR 2) and symposium. LA Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, D. Vavrek, W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. 2003. Development of an oil brine spill restoration plan. LA Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C. and W. Colgan. 2002. Restoration of an oil spill site: Hydroseeding. LA Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan and W.J. Campbell. 2001. Revegetation of oil brine spill sites. LA Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 2000-2003. Effects of elevated CO2 and an altered moisture regime on an artificial pine plantation ecosystem. LA Education Quality Support Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan and W.J. Campbell. 2000. The role of plant-bacteria-fungal interaction in remediation of oak-hickory-pine systems. LA Applied Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 1999. Phytoremediation of petroleum: Identification of plant traits that enhance degradation. LA Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C. 1997-1999. Establishment and measurement of plots for the Keiffer Prairie Research Natural Area. USDA Forest Service Cost Challenge Agreement.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 1998. Use of donor seed banks in terrestrial vegetation recovery after an oil spill (Year 1). LA Oil Spill Research and Development Program.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 1998. Incorporation of applied and research skills in undergraduate environmental science education. LA Education Quality Support Fund Enhancement Program.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. 1997. Development of a germination index of sensitivity to applied oil (Year 1). LA Oil Spill Research and Development Program.

Selected Presentations

Lantz, J.M., N. Pahoundis and M.C. Vavrek. Effect of Ailanthus altissima on a forest macroinvertebrate community. West Virginia Academy of Sciences, 84th Annual Meeting March 2009, Glenville, WV.
Lamb, J., N. Pahoundis and M.C. Vavrek. The effects of Ailanthus altissima on forest macroinvertebrates. Chi Beta Phi 61st National Conference. October 2008, Glenville, WV.
Toma, G, M. Vavrek, H. Hunt and K. Sublette. Fiber rolls as a tool for re-vegetation of oil-brine contaminated watersheds. 14th Annual International Petroleum Environmental Conference. 6-9 November 2007, Houston, TX.
Early, B.S., M.C. Vavrek, H.E. Hunt, W.B. Patterson. 10-15 June 2007. Environmental characteristics of oil-brine spills in bottomland forests of Louisiana. Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) Annual International Conference, Sacramento, CA.
Vavrek, M.C. Approaches for oilfield brine contaminated sites. Chi Beta Phi Science Colloquium. 13 February 2007, Glenville. WV.
Vavrek, M.C. Restoration: Innovative solutions on brine and oil containment sites. Clean Gulf, November 9-10, 2005, Galveston, TX (invited talk).
Vavrek, M., H. Hunt, W. Colgan III, S. Brown and D. Vavrek. Greening of oil brine spill sites: Above- and belowground perspectives. Oil Brine Spill Remediation Conference (sponsored by Louisiana Tech University, OSRADP and IPEC; MV Conference Chair), March 4, 2005, Baton Rouge, LA.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, W. Colgan III and D. Vavrek. Status of oil brine spill site remediation. International Petroleum Environment Conference, October 12-15, 2004, Albuquerque, NM (proceedings).
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, W. Colgan III and D. Vavrek. Development of an oil brine spill restoration plan – Preliminary work and symposium. Clean Gulf, November 17-18, 2004, Tampa, FL.
Vavrek, M.C., H. Hunt, D. Vavrek, W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. Development of an oil brine spill restoration plan. Clean Gulf Conference, 13th annual, November 19-20, 2003, New Orleans, LA.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III and J. Monroe. The use of a hydroseeder to revegetate oil brine spill sites. International Petroleum Environmental Conference, 10th annual, November 11-14, 2003, Houston, TX.
Vavrek, M.C. and W. Colgan. Restoration of an oil spill site: Hydroseeding. Clean Gulf Conference, 12th November 5-7, 2002, Galveston, TX
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. Identification of plant traits that enhance biodegradation of oil. 9th Annual International Petroleum Environmental Conference, Albuquerque, NM. October 2002.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. The role of plant-bacterial-fungal interaction in remediation of terrestrial oil spills. Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America, Tucson, AZ. August 2002.
Vavrek, M.C., W.J. Campbell. Contribution of seed banks to freshwater wetland vegetation recovery. Proceedings, Freshwater Spill Symposium, US EPA, Cleveland, OH. March 2002.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III, W.J. Campbell. The role of plant-bacterial-fungal interaction in remediation of terrestrial oil spills. Proceedings, 8th Annual International Petroleum Environmental Conference, Houston, TX. November 2001.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. Revegetation of oil brine spill sites. 11th Annual Clean Gulf Conference, Mobile, AL. October 2001.
Vavrek, M.C., H.E. Hunt, J.B. Hillard, W. Colgan III, W.J. Campbell, J.L. McKillip, M. McCurdy. Biotic response to oil contaminated environments. 24th Arctic and Marine Oilspill Program (AMOP) Technical Seminar. Edmonton, AB, Canada. June 2001.
Vavrek, M.C., W. Colgan III and W.J. Campbell. The role of plant-bacteria-fungal interaction in remediation of oak-hickory-pine systems. Clean Gulf 2000 Conference, New Orleans, LA. November 2000.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. Phytoremediation of petroleum: Identification of plant traits that enhance degradation. Clean Gulf '99 Conference, Galveston, TX. November 1999.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. Impact of oil spills on regeneration ecology of wetland plant communities. Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America, Spokane, WA. August 1999.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. Use of seed banks for oil spill restoration. Proceedings, 22nd Arctic and Marine Oilspill Program Technical Seminar, Calgary, AB, Canada. June 1999.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. Use of donor seed banks in terrestrial vegetation recovery after an oil spill (Year 1). Clean Gulf '98 Conference, Biloxi, MS. October 1998.
Vavrek, M.C. and W.J. Campbell. Development of a germination index of sensitivity to applied oil (Year 1). Clean Gulf '97 Conference, Kenner, LA. October 1997.
Vavrek, M.C., N. Fetcher, J.B. McGraw, G.R. Shaver, F.S. Chapin, III, B. Bovard and A. Gatesman. Recovery of species diversity in tundra following disturbance. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 78: 201 (abstract). 1997.
Vavrek, M.C. Effects of seasonality on within-population genetic diversity of Taraxacum officinale. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 75: 236-237 (abstract). 1994.
Vavrek, M.C. and J.B. McGraw. Within-population seasonal and spatial variation in demography of Taraxacum officinale. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 74: 469 (abstract). 1993.
Vavrek, M.C., C.C. Bennington and J.B. McGraw. Phenotypic differences between plants from old and young buried seeds of Carex bigelowii and Luzula parviflora. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 70: 286 (abstract). 1989.

Professional Affiliations

American Chestnut Foundation
British Ecological Society
Ecological Society of America
Society for Ecological Restoration

GSC Activities, Past or Current

Academic Affairs Committee
Distance Learning Committee
Faculty Advisor, Glenville State College Environmental Organization (GEO)
Faculty Senate
Professional Development Committee
Retention Committee
Search Committee, Chair