TROY, AL, January 20, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michael Wayne Morris, PhD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Morris has established a distinguished career in the biological sciences, marked by a steadfast commitment to teaching, research and service. Since 2016, he has served as Professor of Biology in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Troy University. In this capacity, he teaches a comprehensive range of courses, including Principles of Biology, Organismal Biology, General Ecology, Field Botany, Dendrology, Cell Biology, Invasive Species Biology, and Biogeography Field Study. Additionally, he has coordinated faculty and graduate teaching assistants for lectures and laboratories, has developed laboratory exercises in ecology and human biology, and advises students majoring in biology with concentrations in general biology, ecology and field biology and biomedical sciences.

Dr. Morris's dedication to student advancement is evident through his supervision of between 15 and 20 research projects involving both undergraduate and graduate students. His research focuses on field botany, plant conservation and the preservation of natural areas, with an emphasis on creating baseline data for future management and monitoring rare plant species. He has also co-authored a laboratory manual with Cengage Publishing tailored for Troy University, dedicating all royalties to a financial account supporting student research and conference participation.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Morris is actively engaged in research and professional service. He serves on graduate thesis committees, has coordinated curriculum revision across multiple Troy University campuses and has lead the departmental Common Reading Initiative on the Troy campus. His professional service extends to collaborations with federal, state and private conservation agencies, leading field trips and authoring educational outreach articles on native plants.

Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Morris was Associate Professor at Troy University from 2008 to 2016, during which time he continued to expand his teaching portfolio while mentoring students toward graduate and professional schools. Between 2006 and 2014, he held the role of freshman biology coordinator at Troy University, overseeing instructional quality for introductory courses. He also served as a lecturer at the university from 2006 until 2007.

Before joining Troy University, Dr. Morris was a faculty member in the Department of Biology at North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia) from 1993 to 2006, and attained the rank of Professor of Biology in 2003. He was a research associate in the Department of Botany at the University of Florida between 1990 and 1993. He began his endeavors in academia as a teaching assistant in the same department from 1988 until 1990 and as an intern at Selby Botanical Gardens in 1989.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Morris gained practical experience as a research assistant/technician at the USDA Research Station in Stoneville, Mississippi in 1985, 1987, and 1988 and as a field botanist for the Crosby Arboretum of Mississippi State University in 1986. He previously served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University from 1986 until 1987, as a laboratory assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences at Delta State University in 1984 and as a computer operator in the Department of Data Processing at Delta State University between 1982 and 1985.

Instrumental in shaping Dr. Morris's expertise as an educator and researcher was his educational background, which began with a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry from Delta State University in 1985. He subsequently earned a Master of Science in botany specializing in plant taxonomy from Mississippi State University in 1987, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in botany with a focus on systematics and anatomy from the University of Florida in 1993. Beyond his formal education, he was inducted in several honorary organizations, including Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society in 2001, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society in 1989, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in 1985, and various others.

Reflecting on his accomplishments, Dr. Morris attributes his success to his parents and numerous mentors who provided their guidance throughout his journey, inspiring him to offer similar mentorship to future generations. His achievements have been recognized through various accolades, including Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2005, the American Orchid Society 11th World Orchid Conference Fellowship for Research from 1991 to 1992, and the Outstanding Student Paper Award in the Agriculture and Plant Science Division from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences in 1988, among many other honors. He has authored or co-authored 23 scientific journal articles, co-authored a customized laboratory manual for Troy University, authored a book chapter for The Natural Communities of Georgia, discovered and described with two co-authors a legume, Pediomelum piedmontanum, native to Georgia and South Carolina that was previously unknown, and has presented at numerous professional conferences and for public organizations. In addition, he discovered new populations of Lindera melissifolia, a federally endangered shrub, and Apios priceana, a federally threatened vine, in Mississippi.

Further distinguishing Dr. Morris's professional pursuits are his extensive civic involvement with public and scientific organizations. He chaired the Graduate Student Support Award Committee for the Association of Southeastern Biologists from 2008 until 2009, served on the advisory committee for the Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Georgia between 2004 and 2007, was a member of the board of directors for the Georgia Botanical Society from 2001 to 2010, chaired its grant and scholarship committee in 2002, has coordinated internships for students attending both North Georgia College and Troy University at research-intensive universities between 2003 to 2006 and from 2024 to the present, has served as Associate Graduate Faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2022 to the present, and has been a Field Associate at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science from 2015 to the present.

Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Morris remains most proud of the wealth of experience he has accumulated, which has enabled him to impart valuable lessons and inspire excitement about discovery science among students, empowering them toward future success. Looking ahead, he aims to provide exemplary service through dedicated teaching, impactful scholarship and meaningful service initiatives.

Photo Captions: 1) Michael Wayne Morris, PhD.; 2) Meeting of Mississippi botanists at Pearl Bluff Farm, Marion County, Mississippi. Included here are Dr. Charles Bryson, one of several mentors at Mississippi State University, Dr. Mac Alford, Dr. Micheal Davis, and Dr. Sam Rosso, colleagues at the University of Southern Mississippi, Ms. Heather Sullivan, botanist at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mr. John Gwaltney, former President and CEO of Forestry Suppliers, Inc., University of Southern Mississippi graduate students Mr. Amos Adams, Mr. Jonno Osborne, and Ms. Allison Wilson, and Michael Wayne Morris, PhD; 3) Troy University graduate student, Joshua Bailey, and undergraduate students, Adele Crabtree, Elijah Ward, and Hailey Williamson presenting a poster on vascular plants of Blue Springs State Park, Alabama, with me at the 2024 meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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