Robert J. Swap, Ph.D. “Bob” Research Associate Professor Dept. of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Ph.D., Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 1996 M.Sc. Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 1990 B.A. Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, 1987
Photo by Tom Cogill
Contact Details: Robert J. Swap Research Associate Professor Department of Environmental Sciences Clark Hall, University of Virginia 291 McCormick Road, P.O. Box 400123 Charlottesville VA, U.S.A. 22904-4123 Work Phone:  +1 (434) 924-7714 Work Fax: +1 (434) 982-2137 Work E-mail: rjs8g@virginia.edu Personal E-mail: rjswap@gmail.com For more Info see the following links: Publications SAFARI 2000 SAVANA Study Abroad January Term Student Service Learning Projects Jefferson Public Citizens Awards & Op Editorials On-Line Video Presentations	Interests:  Research: My current research continues to be focused on understanding how global change, in its broadest form, helps shape regional environmental systems, especially in the developing world. I want to identify and understand relationships between environmental and human factors that underlie the biogeophysical / biogeochemical processes occurring in developing world ecosystems. Specifically, I study the aerosol & trace gas emissions, transports, and impacts at regional scales. I am also interested in the nexus of environmental sciences and human health issues in the developing world. I am moving in this research direction through collaborations with colleagues in the UVA Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Engineering. My research and professional activities have led to interactions with governmental entities both in the U.S. and abroad (U.S. DOS, USAID, NSF, NASA; the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research - IAI), NGOs such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Conservation International, IUCN, World Wildlife Fund, Interciencia, the Air Pollution Information Network – Africa (APINA), START and the World Bank. Most recently, I participated in exploratory talks with scientists, researchers and educators in Myanmar regarding science, education and outreach as possible means of normalizing international engagement Teaching: I offer a six credit hour, interdisciplinary summer study abroad course entitled “The People, Culture and Environment of Southern Africa.” The course has an ‘in the field’ approach to demonstrating not only how people and their culture impact the environment in the developing world, but also how the environment influences people and their culture in the emerging world. I offer a January term that I developed with Prof. Michael J. Smith entitled “Ethics, Protocols and Practices of International Research.” This interdisciplinary, introductory course is for students interested in conducting research / service learning abroad. Along with Prof. Paxton Marshall, I offer a course with entitled “Engineering in Community Settings.” As part of the recently launched Global Development Studies Major, I have developed a coursed entitled “Global Development in Practice.” Since 2003, I have been actively involved in advising and supervising undergraduate and graduate students interested in conducting research, participating in international service learning projects, and experiencing educational activities in southern Africa and elsewhere. I believe that now, more so than ever, these types of educational experiences have emerged to be an essential component of a comprehensive University education.