Dr. Runck is a broadly trained organismal biologist with expertise in aquatic ecology and extensive experience teaching undergraduate courses (in the United States and Australia) in the areas of introductory biology, ecology, limnology, zoology, and ornithology. Runck was drawn to Georgia Gwinnett College by the opportunity to help build a biology program at the newest public liberal arts college in the nation. Runck knows the value of a liberal arts education: his baccalaureate degree is from a liberal arts college and he taught at a liberal arts college for six years prior to coming to GGC. Runck views research experience as an integral part of teaching science and his research interests are designed to be accessible to undergraduate students. Runck's current research interests are focused on the ecology of freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in human-dominated landscapes. Runck is also interested in collaborative ecological/environmental monitoring service learning projects for GGC students with high school and middle school science classes and also with citizen-science conservation groups. Runck sees collaborative ecological monitoring projects as an opportunity for GGC students to interact with and contribute to communities by applying what they are learning to help solve problems of local concern. Runck's interest in field biology also extends to developing outdoor classroom activities with a goal of establishing a life-long interest in the natural world and its stewardship.