• Print
  • Email

Brian Plankis

Brian Plankis has always had three career interests in his life: technology, science and education. While most people would choose to focus on one, Brian's background reflects his efforts to integrate all three into his career. Brian received a BS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Purdue University in 1994. After completing three semesters toward an MS in Organic Chemistry, he switched focus and completed an MS in Educational Technology, also from Purdue, in 1997. Following his graduation Brian pursued system analyst positions and is currently the project manager of a remote imaging system for marine mammal observations at the Laboratory for Applied Biotelemetry & Biotechnology at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Brian is currently pursuing his doctorate in Instructional Technology at the University of Houston. His dissertation work focuses on effective utilization of instructional technology to produce meaningful learning in science education. Brian has conducted classroom teaching at the university level in soil science, classroom technology integration and computer literacy. Additionally, he has contributed to research efforts in lake pollution and water clarity, the effects of groundcover and soil type on soil erosion and chemical uptake and binding in soil organic matter. Brian has authored several peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations on a variety of technological and educational topics.

Brian entered the aquarium hobby with freshwater tanks and spent seven years keeping freshwater fish while breeding various species of guppies, mollies and angelfish. He set up his first saltwater tank, a 29-gallon, in 1999 and currently keeps a 75-gallon mixed reef tank. He also has spent over 200 hours volunteering for the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network in Galveston, Texas. In addition to writing for Reefkeeping Magazine, Brian has been an active member and a presenter for the Marine Aquarium and Reef Society of Houston (MARSH) and was involved in the Chicago Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS).

His aquarium interests include fish breeding, invertebrate identification and reproduction, coral propagation and reproduction. Many important issues facing the hobby today interest him, including: educating new hobbyists, the hobby's effects on natural reefs, the humane treatment of animals, and research on live rock hitchhikers and invertebrates. He continues to educate himself on these issues while attempting to identify any ways that he can contribute.

When he's not involved with any of the above activities, he enjoys spending time with his wonderfully supportive wife, Christine, and playing a variety of sports.

You can communicate with Brian on his author forum at Reef Central.