A hand-decorated, cardboard fish is tacked to a bulletin board next to the computer of Saint Louis University professor Richard Mayden. His children, Kyle, 10, and Kimberly, 6, glued felt and pipe cleaners onto a piece of cardboard that they cut in the shape of a fish, and it is now proudly displayed in the office of the new Biology Department Chair at Saint Louis University.

Although unique, it is not the only fish in his office. Mayden has been interested in studying fish since his undergraduate years at Belleville Area College, now Southwestern Illinois College.

“My experience there had an impact on my future career in academics,” Mayden said. “I had a broad base knowledge of the sciences there.”

Mayden transferred to the University of Illinois where he began working for the Illinois Natural History Survey Center for Biodiversity. During his years there, he was involved with primary research and data entry. In 1978, Mayden was first published for his work with the systematic study of fish.

He published several papers as a master’s student at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Mayden continued his education at the University of Kansas where he completed his Ph.D. He was awarded a two-year fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities and a lot of great mentors,” Mayden added.

Mayden accepted the position as assistant professor at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa in the department of biological sciences. He taught a variety of courses here, in addition to mentoring a number of graduates through independent study and collaborated research. Along with undergraduates, graduates, high school and middle school teachers, Mayden developed a Biodiversity Initiative. This program was designed to provide science education using the diversity of life, and it involved students of all age ranges.

“Not every person is going to make it to the tropics,” Mayden explained. “So I wanted to focus on local biodiversity to teach scientific principles.”

In addition to his involvement in this initiative, Mayden was also the curator of fish for the University’s collection, one of the top ranked collections in the nation.

Mayden is now the chair of biology and the William S. Barnickel Chair in the Natural Sciences. “Multiple things influenced my decision to take this job,” Mayden said. “I was ready for a change in leadership. I am from the area and I’ve always admired SLU’s commitment to quality education.

“I wanted to be a part of this academic community which puts an emphasis on the person and mentoring,” Mayden continued. “This department has incredible potential and retains a real balance in education, research and service.”

The Reis Biological Station is another asset to the department that Mayden liked.

“The students have an opportunity to use the field station, which I feel is a real positive thing for the department and the University,” Mayden said.

As chair, Mayden hopes to improve the facilities, expand labs, increase faculty and offer a broader selection of courses for both majors and non-majors. He also hopes to enhance the interactions with other local institutions, such as Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Gardens and the St. Louis Zoo.

Staff in the biology department enjoy working with Mayden. “He has a great sense of humor,” said Administrative Secretary Peggy Gathard. “He is really friendly and fun to work with.”

Mayden is also a consultant for the proposed World Aquarium project, which will include a wide variety of aquatic animals and displays. “This is going to be a fabulous addition to the metropolitan area,” Mayden said.

Mayden is currently finishing his book on freshwater fish of Alabama. The Smithsonian Press in Washington, D.C. will publish it.