Bruce Kirchoff
Areas of Expertise
Plant Structure and Development, Scientific Communication, Storytelling, Improvised Storytelling, Theatrical Improvisation
Education
Ph.D., Duke University
Previous Courses Taught
- Plant Diversity (BIO 322)
- Plant Systematics (BIO 354)
Research
Visit the Kirchoff Lab Website
Dr. Kirchoff’s research focused on plant evolution from structural and developmental standpoints. His work centered on flower structure and development in the plant order Zingiberales, the order that contains the culinary gingers and bananas. He also developed and tested methods for improving the use of morphological characters in evolutionary studies. Dr. Kirchoff’s past work includes the development of visual learning software for teaching plant identification. The software is now distributed by the Apereo foundation as part of their Image Quiz Project.
Watch a short video introduction to his work or a longer introduction, both on YouTube.
Awards
2014 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Kirchoff was the recipient of a 2014 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. This is the highest post-secondary teaching award in North Carolina.
The image is of the bronze medal that accompanies the award.
2014 Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award, Botanical Society of America
In 2014, Dr. Kirchoff won the Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award from the Botanical Society of America. The following is quoted from the award announcment:
“Dr. Kirchoff is transforming the way that students learn through the creation of active, visual learning programs and mobile applications. He has created, validated, and is in the process of distributing groundbreaking software that helps students more easily master complex subjects.”
Click on the link to read more about the award and the Botanical Society of America
2013 Innovations in Plant Systematics Education Prize, American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Dr. Kirchoff was awarded the first ever ‘Innovations in Plant Systematics Education’ prize by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists. Dr. Kirchoff won for his “innovative application of research in cognitive psychology to teach plant identification skills” and his “record of pedagogical research and use of technology to interact with students.” The award letter goes on further to say his work “is an exceptional example of combining science and education effectively. It is a wonderful model for our membership in this inaugural year of the award.” Dr. Kirchoff was honored at the annual American Society of Plant Taxonomists banquet at the Botany 2013 meeting.
More Information
Visiting Scientist
Visiting Scholar, Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley: October 2007 – 2009
Visiting Scientist, South China Botanical Garden , Chinese Academy of Sciences: 2007 – 2010
Visiting Research Scientist, Royal Botanic Gardens , Sydney , Australia : January – May 2001
Consulting
Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) Finder Program, through Applied Research Associates (ARA), Raleigh, NC. 2014-2015
Teaching Related YouTube Channels
Plant Diversity (Biology 422 link)
Plant Systematics (Biology 451 link)