EnviroScience is excited to welcome Alan D. Christian, Ph.D., to the team to serve as Director of Marine Services, which includes endangered mussel and aquatic ecological consulting services, scientific diving, and commercial diving/underwater construction services. In this role, Alan leads marine and aquatic field operations and supports freshwater mussel and aquatic ecosystem investigations across the United States. Alan oversees teams of malacologists and commercial divers conducting underwater field surveys, endangered species consulting including biological assessments, underwater infrastructure inspections, and underwater construction for environmental and infrastructure projects, helping ensure high-quality field data collection and project delivery for clients and agency partners.
Alan earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, a Master of Science in Biological Science from Arkansas State University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University. His academic training focused on aquatic ecology, freshwater mussel biology, and conservation science.
With more than 25 years of experience in aquatic ecology, Alan has conducted ecological investigations involving more than 150 freshwater mussel species, including numerous federally and state-listed taxa. His work includes basin-scale surveys, ecological monitoring, and aquatic habitat assessments across major river systems throughout the United States, working closely with federal and state natural resource agencies on endangered species conservation and environmental compliance projects.
Alan holds a lifelong passion for freshwater ecosystems. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling with his family, and cheering on his daughter as she competes in softball and equestrian events.
“We are excited to bring in Alan’s experience and capacity to continue to grow this service line. I have worked with Alan over two decades through our work in FMCS committees and he’s already hit the ground running here.” shared Greg Zimmerman, Vice President, EnviroScience.