Oakton professor writes textbook on Chicago region's biodiversity
• Paul Gulezian, an associate professor of biology at Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, has penned a textbook recently published by Bluedoor Publishing. Gulezian's book, "A Field Guide to the Biodiversity of the Chicago Region," will be used this spring by Oakton students enrolled in Introduction to Environmental Studies.
The 150-page textbook is designed as an introduction to the biodiversity, natural history, habitats and ecosystems of the Chicago area. The scope of coverage includes the Chicago metropolitan area along with Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties. In addition to species descriptions, there are also introductory chapters on environmental philosophy, conservation and restoration, and the geology, habitats and history of indigenous people in the Chicago region.
Gulezian's book identifies about 400 species that can be readily found including herbaceous plants, woody plants, spore plants and lichens, fungi, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects and non-insect invertebrates. Each entry has a photo taken by Gulezian, many of which were photographed at Oakton's Des Plaines campus, along with interesting "factoids."
The Oak Park native and River Grove resident credits his sabbatical this past fall semester for allowing him to complete a lifelong project.
• Brian Massimino has joined the litigation practice group at Schaumburg-based Lavelle Law, working primarily out the firm's Chicago office.
Prior to joining Lavelle Law, Massimino spent eight years running his own firm, which specialized in helping clients in the hospitality, food and beverage, wholesale, real estate and construction industries. In addition to working in the courtroom with clients, Massimino is an adjunct faculty member at Roosevelt University, teaching a class in Hospitality Law.
Massimino attended Truman State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in political science. He also studied abroad at Oxford University and received an MBA and J.D. from Saint Louis University.
• U.S. Air Force Airman Trent Butzen graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Butzen, the son of Terry Butzen of Barlett and Lisa Young of Montgomery, is a 2018 graduate of Oswego High School.
• Send your 'Neighbor in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.