MICHAEL E. DORCAS, PH.D.

mike@tantillaconsulting.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Highly accomplished Ph.D. Scientist and Strategic Leader with 18+ years of experience in environmental science, leadership, and project management. Expertise in competitive funding acquisition (securing over $2.2 million in grants), complex project design, and stakeholder communication. Proven ability to translate intricate research findings into actionable insights for diverse organizations, from federal agencies to private industry.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Communication & Media Relations: Technical Writing, Editing, Content Creation, Public Speaking, Media Outreach
• Leadership & Management: Team Leadership, Mentorship, Project Management, Curriculum Development, Stakeholder Engagement
• Research & Analysis: Data Interpretation, Grant Acquisition, Research Design & Evaluation, Problem-Solving

EXPERIENCE

2026-Present | Founder and Principal Consultant, Tantilla Consulting

• Provided independent scientific consulting focused on scholarly communication, research evaluation, and technical review.
• Conducted peer-review–level manuscript editing and substantive revision for biological and ecological research.
• Evaluated research design, analytical approaches, and interpretation of results for academic and applied projects.
• Provided grant and proposal feedback informed by extensive experience with competitive funding programs.

1998–2016 | Professor (Endowed Chair 2015-2016), Davidson College, Davidson, NC

• Project & Fiscal Management: Successfully managed a comprehensive research program, securing and directing 84 grants and contracts totaling > $2.2 million from highly competitive sources (e.g., National Science Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Defense).
• Leadership & Mentorship: Directed, mentored, and managed teams of over 70 undergraduate/graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; effectively oversaw the entire lifecycle of numerous projects from proposal submission to final publication/reporting.
• Technical Writing: Authored 8 books, 25 chapters in edited books, and 116 peer-reviewed scientific papers. Demonstrated mastery in synthesizing complex ecological data and communicating findings effectively.
• Consulting & External Relations: Provided expert consultation services to diverse entities, including Duke Energy, the National Park Service, and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, bridging academic research with practical environmental solutions.

• Public Speaking & Outreach: Delivered over 160 presentations at scientific conferences and > 60 invited seminars, effectively engaging audiences of varying sizes and technical backgrounds.

2021–2025 | Science Instructor, Adult Continuing Education Program, FCI Ft. Dix, NJ

• Developed and executed a foundational science curriculum tailored for non-traditional adult learners in a challenging institutional environment.

2016–2020 | Owner/Operator, GreenFrog Online Retail, Huntersville, NC

• Managed all facets of e-commerce operations, including inventory management, digital marketing, and customer relationship management.

1995–1998 | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken, SC

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Biology 1995 | Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
M.S. Biology 1990 | University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX

B.S. Biology 1986 | University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX

A complete Curriculum Vitae including lists of publications, grants and contracts, honors and awards, and professional activities/service is available upon request.