Phil Hightower
Phil Hightower
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts and Sciences
Why ABAC?
Phil Hightower chose ABAC because he enjoys working with students. He appreciates that our campus and classroom sizes allow faculty to have individual discussions with students about their interests, challenges, and goals. Mr. Hightower’s aim as a teacher is to provide a structure where the student knows what is expected of them and an atmosphere where they can succeed if they so choose.
Academic Expertise:
Phil Hightower has worked in academic, science, and agriculture fields since starting out as a student researcher in 1993 and has been employed by ABAC in various aspects since 1999. His thesis work was in invertebrates, but he is interested in almost any biology subject at or above the organismal level such as biological diversity, freshwater ecology, history of environmental issues, native plants, and the local longleaf pine-wiregrass community.
Phil Hightower chose ABAC because he enjoys working with students. He appreciates that our campus and classroom sizes allow faculty to have individual discussions with students about their interests, challenges, and goals. Mr. Hightower’s aim as a teacher is to provide a structure where the student knows what is expected of them and an atmosphere where they can succeed if they so choose.
Academic Expertise:
Phil Hightower has worked in academic, science, and agriculture fields since starting out as a student researcher in 1993 and has been employed by ABAC in various aspects since 1999. His thesis work was in invertebrates, but he is interested in almost any biology subject at or above the organismal level such as biological diversity, freshwater ecology, history of environmental issues, native plants, and the local longleaf pine-wiregrass community.
Courses Taught
BIOL 4550-Tropical Ecology with Study Abroad in Belize
BIOL 3350-Ecology and Evolution with included lab
BIOL 3090-Invertebrate Zoology with included lab
BIOL 2080-General Zoology with included lab
BIOL 1107 & BIOL 1107L (previously BIOL 2107 & BIOL 2107L)-Principles of Biology I and lab
BIOL 1108H-Principles of Biology II Honors with included lab
BIOL 1108 & BIOL 1108L (previously BIOL 2108 & BIOL 2108L)-Principles of Biology II and lab
BIOL 1003 & BIOL 1003L-Introductory Biology I and lab (Designed for non-science majors, no longer in catalog)
BIOL 1004 & BIOL 1004L -Introductory Biology II and lab (Designed for non-science majors, no longer in catalog)
SCIE 1005H-Environmental Science Honors with included lab
SCIE 1005 & SCIE 1005L-Environmental Science and lab
BIOL 4550-Tropical Ecology with Study Abroad in Belize
BIOL 3350-Ecology and Evolution with included lab
BIOL 3090-Invertebrate Zoology with included lab
BIOL 2080-General Zoology with included lab
BIOL 1107 & BIOL 1107L (previously BIOL 2107 & BIOL 2107L)-Principles of Biology I and lab
BIOL 1108H-Principles of Biology II Honors with included lab
BIOL 1108 & BIOL 1108L (previously BIOL 2108 & BIOL 2108L)-Principles of Biology II and lab
BIOL 1003 & BIOL 1003L-Introductory Biology I and lab (Designed for non-science majors, no longer in catalog)
BIOL 1004 & BIOL 1004L -Introductory Biology II and lab (Designed for non-science majors, no longer in catalog)
SCIE 1005H-Environmental Science Honors with included lab
SCIE 1005 & SCIE 1005L-Environmental Science and lab
Education
M.S. in Biology, 2008, Valdosta State University
B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, 1998, Valdosta State University
Biology Major, Core Curriculum, 1993-1995, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
2014 & 2015 Center for Teaching and Learning Engaged Faculty Certificate
Publications/Research
2014. D.L. Bechler, P.Hightower, M.Smith, and J.Rousey. The use of nest-traps to study behavior, population structure, and life history of Procambarus spiculifer. Freshwater Crayfish. 20(1):7-16.
2013. P. Hightower & D.L. Bechler. The life history of the crayfish Procambarus (Pennides) spiculifer in the Alapahoochee River. Freshwater Crayfish. 19(1):77-89.
2011. G.T. Johnson, J.F. Elder, S.M. Thompson, P. Hightower, & D. Bechler. Phylogeny of the freshwater crayfish subfamily Cambarinae based on 16s rDNA gene analysis. Current Trends in Ecology. 2:97-113.
2011. P. Hightower. Environmental Science Laboratory Manual (for use in ABAC’s SCIE 1005H and SCIE 1005L). pp 58.
2009. March 27-29. Poster presentation at the 6th annual Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC) in Gainesville, Florida entitled “The life history of the crayfish Procambarus spiculifer in the Alapahoochee River.”
2009. Rousey, J., P. Hightower, M.E. Smith and D.L. Bechler. Conspecific and heterospecific associations in nest-traps occupied by the crayfish, Procambarus spiculifer. Georgia Journal of Science. 67:36 (Abstr.)
2008. P. Hightower. “The Life History of the Crayfish Procambarus spiculifer in the Alapahoochee River” Masters Thesis. Valdosta State University.
2004. R. Baird, W. Batson, C. Watson, & P. Hightower. Evaluation of transgenic cotton varieties and a glyphosate application on seedling disease incidence. Mycopathologia. 158: 363-368.
2004. R.E. Baird, D.E. Carling, C.E. Watson, M.L. Scruggs, & P. Hightower. Effects of nematicides on cotton root mycobiota. Mycopathologia. 157: 191-199.
1999-Present. Contributor to ABAC’s biology laboratory manuals for various courses.
M.S. in Biology, 2008, Valdosta State University
B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, 1998, Valdosta State University
Biology Major, Core Curriculum, 1993-1995, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
2014 & 2015 Center for Teaching and Learning Engaged Faculty Certificate
Publications/Research
2014. D.L. Bechler, P.Hightower, M.Smith, and J.Rousey. The use of nest-traps to study behavior, population structure, and life history of Procambarus spiculifer. Freshwater Crayfish. 20(1):7-16.
2013. P. Hightower & D.L. Bechler. The life history of the crayfish Procambarus (Pennides) spiculifer in the Alapahoochee River. Freshwater Crayfish. 19(1):77-89.
2011. G.T. Johnson, J.F. Elder, S.M. Thompson, P. Hightower, & D. Bechler. Phylogeny of the freshwater crayfish subfamily Cambarinae based on 16s rDNA gene analysis. Current Trends in Ecology. 2:97-113.
2011. P. Hightower. Environmental Science Laboratory Manual (for use in ABAC’s SCIE 1005H and SCIE 1005L). pp 58.
2009. March 27-29. Poster presentation at the 6th annual Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC) in Gainesville, Florida entitled “The life history of the crayfish Procambarus spiculifer in the Alapahoochee River.”
2009. Rousey, J., P. Hightower, M.E. Smith and D.L. Bechler. Conspecific and heterospecific associations in nest-traps occupied by the crayfish, Procambarus spiculifer. Georgia Journal of Science. 67:36 (Abstr.)
2008. P. Hightower. “The Life History of the Crayfish Procambarus spiculifer in the Alapahoochee River” Masters Thesis. Valdosta State University.
2004. R. Baird, W. Batson, C. Watson, & P. Hightower. Evaluation of transgenic cotton varieties and a glyphosate application on seedling disease incidence. Mycopathologia. 158: 363-368.
2004. R.E. Baird, D.E. Carling, C.E. Watson, M.L. Scruggs, & P. Hightower. Effects of nematicides on cotton root mycobiota. Mycopathologia. 157: 191-199.
1999-Present. Contributor to ABAC’s biology laboratory manuals for various courses.
Mr. Hightower is active in study abroad courses at ABAC and helps teach Tropical Ecology with a lab component in Belize, Central America. For more information see: http://www.abac.edu/academics/schools/arts-sciences/outreach/belize-study-abroad
You may visit Mr. Hightower during office hours in Conger 216C or you are welcome to stop by the Academic Assistance Center during his tutoring time.
You may visit Mr. Hightower during office hours in Conger 216C or you are welcome to stop by the Academic Assistance Center during his tutoring time.