Penn State DuBois
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
Biography
Dr. Loeb is a professor of Biology and Forestry at Penn State DuBois. Dr. Loeb teaches introductory biology for majors and non-majors as well as introductory soil science. He is also the academic advisor for Penn State DuBois students planning to enter the Eberly College of Science at University Park.
Dr. Loeb's long-term ecological research is focused on the historical ecology and conservation of old growth urban forests. Also, Dr. Loeb is conducting research with undergraduates on the ecology and management of urban natural areas in Nashville and Philadelphia.
Awards:
- Dr. James Robinson Equal Opportunity Award (2018)
- Milton S. Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching (2015)
- John Romano Faculty/Staff Diversity Recognition Award (2015)
- DuBois Educational Foundation Educator of the Year (2013)
Honors:
- Certified Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America (2009)
- Kenan Fellow, National Tropical Botanical Gardens (2008)
Research Interests
Seed Shelter Project (Patented Invention)
Techniques conventionally used for planting seedlings fail to reflect the natural process of seed placement in the soil and the root and stem of the young tree developing in the soil of the site. Further, an approach that may rely on placing a seed in the soil of a forest planting site is often ineffectual because small animals in the soil are seed predators that will consume the seed. To resolve these issues, Loeb invented biodegradable seed shelter devices and processes for planting seeds and for their germination as well as the development of the seedlings.
Field testing is continuing in the Otto & Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve of the Westmoreland Land Trust, Pennsylvania.
Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville, Tennessee
The program of long-term ecological research at Radnor Lake started in Spring 2007 and has included work on White-tailed Deer Browsing, North American Beaver Cutting, Invasive Plant Species, Endangered Plant Species, and Tree Losses to Landslides. The current projects are examining the patterns of beaver cutting and the response of the endangered species wild dill to the removal of the invasive species bush honeysuckle. The Friends of Radnor Lake supports Loeb’s research program in order to provide a scientific basis for the management of Radnor Lake State Natural Area.
Education
BS, Biology, Biology Education, Environmental Science - Long Island University
PhD, Biology - New York University