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Brent Opell

Professor of Biological Sciences
opell
2103 Derring Hall (MC 0406)
926 West Campus Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24061
USA
bopell@vt.edu
(540) 231-7445

Major Field of Interest

Spider Systematics and Evolution

Current Research

  1. Adhesive mechanisms of spider prey capture threads from orb-webs
  2. Molecular and morphological systematics of spiders
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences (formerly Department of Biology), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1978-1984; Associate Professor, 1984-1989; Professor 1989-present.
  • PhD., Biology, 1978, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Thesis Title: Revision of the Genera and Tropical American Species of the Spider Family Uloboridae. Major Advisor: Herbert W. Levi.
  • M.S., Zoology, 1974, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Thesis Title: A Taxonomic Revision of the North American Hahniidae (Arachnida: Araneae). Major Advisor: Joseph A. Beatty.
  • B. A. (Magna Cum Laude), Botany/Zoology, 1971, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Virginia Tech Certificate of Teaching Excellence: 1986, 2005, 2014.
  • Department of Biological Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award: 1994, 2013.
  • William E. Wine Award winner, 2015.
  • CIDER Teacher of the Week, 2015.

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