Dr. James Organ

James Organ was born in Newark, NJ and after graduating from Central Commercial & Technical High School served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years. He then pursued a degree from the Newark College of Arts & Sciences in their Natural History Curriculum. At the University of Michigan, Dr. Organ received both an MS and PhD in Biology. Dr. Organ became an instructor of Biology at The City College in New York, NY where he taught for over 20 years achieving the rank of Professor and Department Chair. The study of Plethodon salamander reproduction and life history has benefited greatly from his 25 years of research. The courtship of Plethodon jordani and P. glutinousus was the focus of much of his early work. Additional courtship research documented the reproductive behavior of Pseudotriton rubber and Eurycea lucifuga. Dr. Organ produced some of the first significant research on the life history of P. welleri and Desmognathus wrighti. Much of the forest management of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area has been influenced by studies and surveys conducted by Dr. Organ on those salamander populations. Dr. Organ’s wife of 51 years, Della, has accompanied and assisted with much of his research. The couple retired to the Trout Dale community just below Mt. Rogers. They have 2 daughters.