Ben Ballard, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Renewable Energy at SUNY Morrisville. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in forest resources management from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), a Master of Science in statistics from Syracuse University, and a doctorate in forest ecosystem science and applications from SUNY ESF. As a researcher at SUNY ESF, he worked for many years with shrub willow bioenergy crops and vegetation management on powerline corridors with a special emphasis on shrub communities. Dr. Ballard has published two books on shrub identification.
Dr. Ballard joined SUNY Morrisville in 2007, and his current teaching responsibilities include courses in bioenergy and biofuels, thermal energy systems, including biomass heating, solar thermal and heat pumps, as well as a course in tower climbing. He has ongoing research in vegetation management with partners from SUNY-ESF and NYPA.