Brent Pease has an impressive start to his career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His research into the effects of light pollution on avian activity has gained national and international media attention – and he’s the first faculty member in the forestry program to be published in the prestigious journal Science. Not bad for an assistant professor just five academic years into his career.
Even more impressive, since joining the faculty, the Southern Illinois native has authored 27 published journal articles. Many have already garnered a high number of citations, cementing his research within the academic community.
Pease’s impact, though, is felt most deeply on campus. His dedication to students and local citizens earned him SIU Carbondale’s 2026 Early Career Faculty Excellence Award. The award recognizes a faculty member within their first five years of their tenure track who demonstrates excellence in scholarship, teaching, and other professional activities.
Karl Williard, director of the School of Forestry and Horticulture, is one faculty member who nominated Pease for the recognition. Williard has high regard for Pease’s commitment to teaching his students. The director notes the assistant professor has exceeded expectations teaching Forest Resource Economics — a class that many students find difficult — and “developed it into a class that many students value and enjoy.”
Another course where Pease is keeping students engaged is the forestry section of UNIV 101.
“He helped develop a strong sense of community among our new students, a critical achievement for student retention,” Williard said. “Because of his care and compassion for students, he has become a real difference-maker for many of our students.”
Pease, whose work focuses on biodiversity conservation and endangered species recovery, grew up an hour north of Carbondale. His academic journey took him across the country. He earned a bachelor’s degree in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology from Colorado State University; a master’s degree in forestry from SIU; and a doctorate in fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology from North Carolina State University.
After earning his doctoral degree, Pease jumped at the opportunity to return to SIU in the fall of 2021 as an assistant professor. For him, coming back to Southern Illinois also signified a personal life change allowing him to be closer to loved ones.
“I think it is a unique opportunity to be close to family and have such an incredible academic position,” Pease said. “Plus, I get a chance to give back to the region in a small way through education and wildlife conservation.”
That “small way” has had a large financial impact. Since joining the university, Pease has secured more than $2.4 million in external funding, including money from out-of-state and national conservation agencies. These notoriously competitive grants support research and fund dozens of undergraduate and graduate students studying ecology and wildlife conservation.
“His students speak very highly of him as a mentor, collaborator, and teacher, which is a testament to the effort he puts into his work and genuine care he has for his students,” Williard added.
When it comes to giving back to the region, Pease developed and runs the annual Saluki BioBlitz. This program challenges students and community members to electronically catalog as many plants and animals on campus as possible in a 24-hour period.
Forestry professor John Groninger replicated the idea for Tree Campus USA, saying, “This ingenious tool allowed us to meet program requirements while allowing maximum participation during high levels of concern about COVID-19.”
Pease has spearheaded several other initiatives, including a citizen-science project working with landowners across the Midwest to capture bird biodiversity on their property and a new Conservation Law Enforcement certificate in partnership with the Criminology and Criminal Justice program.
Get to know BRENT PEASE
Name: Brent Pease
Department and job title: Assistant Professor, School of Forestry and Horticulture
Years at SIU Carbondale: Currently on 5th year as faculty, plus 2 as a graduate student = 7
Give us the elevator pitch for your teaching/research/staff job:
I study how human and natural stressors affect wildlife populations and their habitat. I am mostly focused on biodiversity conservation and endangered species recovery, and I often partner with the public to address these issues.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Interacting with students! I really enjoy getting to know students and finding ways to support them during their degree program.
Why did you choose SIU?
SIU is home! I grew up about an hour north of Carbondale, so when a position opened after completing my Ph.D. in North Carolina, I immediately applied. I think it is a unique opportunity to be close to family and have such an incredible academic position. Plus, I get a chance to give back to the region in a small way through education and wildlife conservation.
What are your thoughts/reactions to winning the excellence award?
I am grateful for the recognition. While the award is focused on an individual, few of us are successful without the support of others. With that, I am thankful for the support of my colleagues in forestry for setting me up for success.
My favorite activity away from work is…
I really enjoy cycling and camping with my family. Both activities give me a sense of adventure! I also really enjoy the personal challenge of cycling and the health benefits from both activities.
My fondest memory as a child is …
My fondest memory as a child is fishing with my grandpa and dad in Arkansas.
