Rate My Professor Matthew Collier

Matthew Collier, Ph.D., is Professor of Biology and Chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Wittenberg University, where he also serves as Pre-Health Advisor. A alumnus of the institution, he earned a B.A. in Biology from Wittenberg University, an M.S. in Botany from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cincinnati. With more than 20 years of dedicated service at Wittenberg, recognized by a 2023 Torch Bearer Award for 20 Years of Service, Dr. Collier has played a pivotal role in departmental leadership and student mentorship in pre-health professions. His contributions extend to campus initiatives, including spearheading the development of the Wittenberg Arboretum, which achieved ArbNet Level 1 Accreditation in 2024 for its accredited tree collection.

Dr. Collier is a botanist and ecotoxicologist specializing in plant ecology and genetics. His research focuses on the interactions between common dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) and anthropogenic metal contamination, including metal tolerance mechanisms, pollution-induced genetic variation, and the potential of tolerant dandelions for phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils. He also investigates the impacts of invasive plant species, such as Garlic Mustard, Multiflora Rose, and Amur Honeysuckle, on midwestern deciduous forests, as well as orchid seed morphometrics and mycorrhizal fungi conservation. Notable publications include "Differences in seed morphometrics of representative orchids native to North America and Hawaii using scanning electron microscopy" (South African Journal of Botany, 2023), "Uptake and distribution of copper, lead, and zinc in dandelions (Taraxacum officinale; Asteraceae) sampled from polluted and nonpolluted soils" (2017), "Conservation Potentials of Mycorrhizal Fungi Root Cultures of 23 North American Orchids from Herbarium Specimens" (2017), "Clonal variation in floral stage timing in the common dandelion Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae)" (American Journal of Botany, 2004), and "Minisatellite DNA mutation rate in dandelions increases with leaf-tissue concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mn, and Ni" (2003). In recognition of his teaching excellence, Dr. Collier received the 2023 Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching, the highest faculty honor at Wittenberg.