In addition to writing numerous articles and textbooks, he is Editor-in-Chief of the American Biology Teacher. Randy was awarded the 1993 Teacher Exemplar Award by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). Other awards and honors include a Fulbright Scholarship, a listing in the Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 1986 Most Outstanding Teacher from Baylor University, and 1980 Most Outstanding Teaching Assistant from UCLA. He received his Ph.D. in Plant Development from UCLA.