Donald J. Orth

Donald J. Orth is the Thomas H. Jones Professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech. A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1980, Orth has taught numerous classes from the first-year experience, Ichthyology, Fisheries Management, Fish Population Dynamics, and Stream Habitat Management and has received two Certificates of Teaching Excellence, three Outstanding Faculty Awards, and the William E. Wine Award. He led the efforts to revise his college's First-year Experience Program, Invent the Sustainable Future, and has directed more than 26 undergraduate student research projects and 31 graduate student projects. His research focuses on understanding rivers and fish populations to promote sustainable management of fishery and water resources. He is a life member of the American Fisheries Society, Certified Fisheries Professional, and Fellow of the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists and the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute. Orth has received the Regional Director’s Conservation Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Making a Difference Award from the Instream Flow Council. He received a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University, a master's degree and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.