Sam Byrne
Office
McCardell Bicen Hall 312
Email
sbyrne@middlebury.edu
Office Hours
M 1-2:30, and Th 10-11:30

The reciprocal interactions between human populations and the environment result in deeply inequitable patterns of health and harm. I am an interdisciplinary environmental health scientist that seeks to understand the root causes of those patterns. I lead the Health and Environmental Assessment Lab (HEAL) at Middlebury College,  an interdisciplinary public and environmental health research group.

The core of my training is in the design and conduct of epidemiological studies and corresponding methods of data analysis and inference. However, I utilize diverse techniques to achieve my research goals including human health assessment, exposure assessment, environmental chemistry, molecular biology and policy analysis. I am particularly interested in dietary exposure toxic substances from local and traditional food systems. I have a deep scientific curiosity about the relationship between health and the environment; more fundamentally, I am motivated to use science as a tool to directly benefit communities and improve policy. As such, I center my research projects around two main goals, producing policy-relevant scientific data, and providing and translating scientific information for communities at risk.

I am fascinated by the many connections between the environmental and human health. I love helping students explore these diverse connections.  If you are interested in working with me check out the lab website and feel free to get in touch.

Courses Taught

Course Description

Ecology and Evolution
In this introduction to ecology and evolutionary biology we will cover the topics of interspecific interactions (competition, predation, mutualism), demography and life-history patterns, succession and disturbance in natural communities, species diversity, stability and complexity, causes of evolutionary change, speciation, phylogenetic reconstruction, and population genetics. The laboratory component will examine lecture topics in detail (such as measuring the evolutionary response of bacteria, adaptations of stream invertebrates to life in moving water, invasive species and their patterns of spread). We will emphasize experimental design, data collection in the field and in the laboratory, data analysis, and writing skills. This course is not open to seniors and second semester juniors in the Fall. 3 hrs. lect./disc./3 hrs. lab

Terms Taught

Fall 2023, Fall 2024

Requirements

DED, SCI

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Course Description

Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis
Experimental design is one of the most important parts of doing science, but it is difficult to do well. How do you randomize mice? How many replicate petri plates should be inoculated? If I am measuring temperature in a forest, where do I put the thermometer? In this course students will design experiments across the sub-areas of biology. We will run student designed experiments, and then learn ways to analyze the data, and communicate the results. Students planning to do independent research are encouraged to take this course. (BIOL 0140 or BIOL 0145).

Terms Taught

Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2024, Spring 2025

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Independent Study
In this course students complete individual projects involving laboratory and/or field research or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty advisor. Prior to registering for BIOL 0500, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a member of the Biology Department faculty. Additional requirements include attendance at all Biology Department seminars and participation in any scheduled meetings with disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. This course is not open to seniors; seniors should enroll in BIOL 0700, Senior Independent Study. (BIOL 0211. Approval required) 3 hrs. disc.

Terms Taught

Fall 2024, Fall 2025

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Course Description

Senior Independent Study
In this course students complete individual projects involving laboratory and/or field research or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty advisor. Prior to registering for BIOL 0700, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a member of the Biology Department faculty. Additional requirements include attendance at all Biology Department seminars and participation in any scheduled meetings with disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. (BIOL 0211. Approval required; open only to seniors) 3 hrs. disc.

Terms Taught

Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026

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Course Description

Principles of Epidemiology
This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of epidemiology. Students will learn major concepts including study design, measures of effect, and causal inference. We will explore the causes of modern diseases with a focus on how epidemiology can be used to understand causation of disease. We will also explore the historical and current contributions of epidemiology within the field of public health. The course will introduce areas of specialization including infectious and non-infectious diseases, environmental epidemiology, and social and community epidemiology. Students will learn data analysis skills applicable to research in public health and other quantitative sciences. Students will utilize skills from class to investigate an epidemiological issue using real world data. Students will also lead discussions on how epidemiology is used to investigate the determinants of disease. Students will leave the course with understanding of key epidemiological concepts, and the ability to convey those ideas to a lay audience in written and oral formats. 3 hrs. lect.

Terms Taught

Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Spring 2025

Requirements

DED

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Course Description

Planetary Health
Human health depends on planetary conditions and resources, as well as functioning ecosystems. Climate change, biodiversity loss, scarcity of land and freshwater, pollution and other threats are degrading these systems with profound implications for human health and wellbeing. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we will investigate the driving forces of human health and wellness in the Anthropocene with an eye on the role of ecology, evolution, planetary change, and the interconnected systems of our planet. Beyond assessing the fundamental biophysical forces acting on human health, we will additionally consider the societal values and ethical frameworks that are inherent to these issues. (BIO 0140 or ENVS 0112 or instructor approval.)

Terms Taught

Spring 2024, Fall 2024

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Course Description

Independent Study
(Approval Required)

Terms Taught

Spring 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026

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Course Description

Independent Research
This course is for non-seniors wishing to conduct independent research in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Additional requirements include attendance at all MBBC-sponsored seminars and seminars sponsored by the faculty mentor’s department, and participation in any scheduled meetings and disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. (Approval required).

Terms Taught

Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025, Spring 2026

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