Dr. Florant’s research interests are centered on the mechanisms that animals use to adapt to
different situations. At a young age, he became interested in falconry and began raising and
taking care of birds. Additionally, Florant attempted to learn as much as possible about these
animals and strove to increase his knowledge through reading.
As a young man, Florant worked
at a local animal hospital and then at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. The latter job had an
especially strong influence on him and helped to nurture his scientific interests. His childhood
fascination with the natural world led him to wonder how animals respond, survive, reproduce,
and evolve in changing environments—Florant would eventually dedicate his life’s work to
answering these formative questions as a biology professor at Colorado State.
Florant has remained in the environmental field for many years. He cites his work on the effects
of fatty acids on animal hibernation and his research on animal thermoregulation at very low
temperatures as career achievements. Elected as a fellow to the American Association for the
Advancement of Science, he has received two Fulbright scholarships and published articles for
five decades.
Though funding continues to be an obstacle for many people interested in
pursuing careers in environmental science, Florant provides opportunities through various
mentoring programs. He is a Ford Fellows liaison for all minorities in three Midwestern states
and is also a mentor in association with the National Institutes of Health. He continues to use
his knowledge and experience as a model to encourage minorities to pursue their dreams in
science.