Lt Col Morris is currently the Director of the Life Science Research Center, a Senior Military Faculty member, and an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Department of Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He and his team support the United States Air Force Academy, United States Air Force and Department of Defense research directives that serve the warfighter through basic and applied research and advanced technology development in the areas of natural resource and environmental studies, biocementation, population-based epidemiology of wastewater surveillance, and clinical development of a vaccine against Francisella tularensis. Through his team’s research efforts and his course design and implementation of biology coursework, he supports the education and development of future Air and Space Force leaders of character with hands-on research and learning opportunities.

Lt Col Morris received his commission and degree in Biology from the United States Air Force Academy, CO, in 2002. He was selected twice for Air Force Institute of Technology sponsored scholarships and completed a master’s degree in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2006 and a doctoral degree in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University in 2015. His early career was spent in research and acquisitions as an Air Force biologist before becoming an instructor, then assistant professor and senior military faculty member at the Air Force Academy. He has served in multiple biodefense and research jobs, including Chief, Mobile Test Facility Operations at the Air Force Technical Application Center and Deputy Branch Chief for both the Air Base Sciences Branch and the Deployed Base Systems Branch in the Airbase Technologies Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Outside of his primary career field as an Air Force chemist/biologist, he served as the Director of the Installation Control Center and Command Post at Ali al Salem Air Base. As a faculty member, he has taught General Biology and course directed both Cell and Molecular Biology and Biology Independent Study. He has served in multiple roles in the Department of Biology including Director of Resources, Director of Cadet Research, and Advisor-in-Charge. In 2017 he was recognized as an Outstanding Academy Educator in the Department of Biology at the United States Air Force Academy.

Doctor of Philosophy, Veterinary Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (2015)

Master of Science, Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas (2006)

Bachelor of Science, Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2002)

Director, Life Science Research Center, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2024 -Present)

Senior Military Faculty, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2019 – Present)

Assistant Professor of Biology, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2015 – Present)

Deputy Director, Life Science Research Center, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2023-2024)

Military Advisor-in-Charge, Department of Biology, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2017-2023)

Director, Installation Control Center and Command Post – Ali al Salem Air Base (2019)

Director of Resources, Department of Biology, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2016-2017)

Deputy Director of Resources, Department of Biology, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2015-2016)

Doctoral Graduate Student, Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, Texas (2012-2015)

Instructor of Biology and Director of Cadet Research, Department of Biology, Dean of Faculty, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (2010-2012)

Deputy Branch Chief, Deployed Base Systems Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (2010)

Deputy Branch Chief, Airbase Sciences Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (2009)

Senior Team Leader, Airbase Sciences Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (2008)

Team Research Lead, Airbase Sciences Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (2007)

Master’s Graduate Student, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (2005-2006)

Chief, Mobile Test Facility Operations, Air Force Technical Application Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (2004-2005)

Field Test Deputy Director, Air Force Technical Application Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (2004)

Quality Assurance Laboratory Manager, Air Force Technical Application Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (2003-2004)

Biological Acquisition Specialist, Air Force Technical Application Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida (2002-2003)

USAFA Team of the Year – Pandemic Math & Science Team (2020)

USAFA Outstanding Academy Educator Award, Department of Biology (2017)

Tyndall Air Force Base Company Grade Officer of the Year (2009)

Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Outstanding Scientist of the Year (2009)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School (2008)

Air Force Research Laboratory, Airbase Technology Division Team of the Year (2007 & 2008)

Air Force Technical Application Center Outstanding Junior Military Scientist (2004)

Air Force Technical Application Center Molecular Collections and Analysis Company Grade Officer of the Year (2004)

Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Air and Space Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

Meritorious Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf cluster

Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf cluster

Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with 1 Oak Leaf cluster

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Air and Space Overseas Service Ribbon

Biodefense, natural materials and systems, extremophiles, vaccine development, bacteriology, and cancer biology.