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SFBS Faculty and Staff
Bill Dyer, Professor of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
 I was born in Havre, Montana, many years ago BC (Before Computers). Following an uneventful childhood and secondary education, I decided to join the work force and become a (reasonably) productive citizen. After a series of menial jobs including roofer, potato chip truck driver, waiter, cook, stick horse maker and ranch hand, I went back to college and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Purdue University in 1988. My dissertation research involved the first cloning and characterization of the gene encoding the first enzyme of the aromatic amino acid biosynthetic pathway from any eukaryotic source. After several job offers, I decided to live and work in Bozeman , since MSU is a great school and this is such a beautiful place. I am now a Professor of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology in the Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology Department. I teach several graduate and undergraduate courses in plant biology and plant biotechnology. I also run a research laboratory that focuses on developmental and evolved traits, specifically in weedy plants. In particular, we have worked extensively on the molecular control of seed dormancy and mechanisms of evolved herbicide resistance. Please see http://weeds.montana.edu/weedphys/weedphys.htm for more information on my lab's publications and current projects.
Alison Harmon, Assistant Professor, Foods and Nutrition
 Alison Harmon earned her doctorate in Nutrition and her M.S. in Forest Resources at Penn State, and has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan. At Montana State University she is an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Development and teaches courses in community nutrition, food cultures, sustainable food systems, culinary management, and global food perspectives. Her research focuses on the integration of concepts related to sustainability into nutrition and dietetic curricula, the effectiveness of food system field experiences on learning about systems and sustainability, experiential learning about hunger, ecological implications of food choices, and community-based strategies for increasing food access such as community supported agriculture (CSA). She advises the student organization MSU Friends of Local Foods and student operated Towne’s Harvest Garden, MSU’s campus CSA and outdoor classroom. Alison was a member of the interdisciplinary team that developed the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems degree program. She is currently a member of the newly formed Montana Food System Council in addition to several national societies related to food, nutrition, and agriculture. For more information on Dr. Harmon's teaching and research, see http://www.montana.edu/hhd/facultyandstaff/aharmon.htm.
Kate Malone, Teaching Assistant
 Hailing from upstate New York, Kate graduated from Stanford University with a History degree in 2001. After spending a couple years unwinding and playing in the mountains in Jackson Hole, Kate moved to Bozeman and started graduate work in nutrition at Montana State in 2005. In 2006, she helped start Towne's Harvest Garden at MSU and is currently a member of the Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems Curriculum Development Team. Kate is also an active member of the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition dietetic practice group of the American Dietetic Association. For her Master's project, Kate developed and is currently teaching Introduction to Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems. After she graduates in May 2010, Kate will complete a dietetic internship in hopes of becoming a registered dietitian and career foodie. Kate loves being out in the mountains, cooking, eating, traveling, and working with all the fabulous food, agriculture and energy systems folks in Montana.
Bruce Maxwell, Professor
Dr. Bruce Maxwell is Professor of Weed Ecology/Agroecology in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Science at Montana State University. Bruce received his B.S. degree in Botany in 1977 and his M.S. degree in Agronomy in 1984 from MSU. Before beginning his B.S. degree he was on the U.S. Alpine Ski Team in 1973 and 1974. After completing his B.S. degree Bruce and his wife, Anne, were Peace Corps volunteers in Micronesia in 1978 and 1979 and traveled for a year in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. He received his Ph.D. in Crop Science/Forest Science from Oregon State University in 1989. After two years as Assistant Professor of Weed Ecology at the University of Minnesota, Bruce returned home to Montana in 1992 to become Assistant Professor of Weed Biology and Ecology at MSU. His research focuses on the application of ecological principles to agricultural pest management and land use planning. Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of organisms is an underlying theme of most of his research. Other research emphases are utilizing precision technologies to increase adoption of ecologically based crop management and developing methods for managers to inventory, survey, and monitor non-indigenous invasive plant species. Bruce currently has one post-doctoral research scientist, one research technician, and three graduate students working in his lab on various aspects of agroecology and ecologically based pest management.
For more information on Bruce Maxwell, see his departmental page.
Mary Stein, Nutrition Education Specialist/SFBS Prgram Coordinator
 Mary Stein earned an M.S. in Nutrition Science from Colorado State University and a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University. Since 1991, Mary has been with the Department of Health and Human Development at Montana State University as a Nutrition Education Specialist and Adjunct Instructor. Most recently, Mary’s work has focused on sustainable food systems work throughout Montana. She served on the steering committee for the 2007 Governor’s Summit on Food and Agriculture, from which the recently formed Montana Food System Council was created. Mary works on projects related to promoting Farm to School programming through her work with Montana Team Nutrition. She serves on the steering committee for the Grow Montana Coalition and on the boards of both Eat Right Montana and Gallatin Valley Farm to School. As Program Coordinator with the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems Program, Mary provides direct guidance to prospective and current SFBS students through advising, internship placement, and teaching. When not in her office in 175 HPE complex, you may find Mary enjoying the beautiful trails (running, hiking, skiing) in our valley or hanging with her family and friends relishing in delicious locally grown food.
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