Research
Ph.D research
I started my PhD in Environmental Sciences at Arkansas State University in Fall 2021. I decided to continue my education and research at AState because of wonderful mentorship of Dr. Neuman-Lee, Dr. Rolland, and other amazing folks as well as access to awesome study systems and resources. I investigate questions regarding physiology and populations with 2 major study systems: Red-eared sliders at Bearitage Farms, Arkansas Freshwater turtle population at Memphis Zoo, Tennessee Funding: Arkansas State University Environmental Sciences Program, Memphis Zoo CAN grant, SUPERB scholarship, UandI DEECoDE NSF-NRT program scholar M.S. research
I defended my MS thesis on June 4, 2021! Here is a publication from this work! Physiological (immune and endocrine) tradeoffs in native red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) in the context of reproduction. My thesis project examined how red-eared sliders, a long-lived reptile, shift limited supplies of energy across immune function, the acute stress response, and reproduction. Female red-eared sliders in the Mississippi Delta Region exhibit multiclutching, laying 2-3 egg clutches per reproductive season, which may cause energy dynamic shifts throughout the season. Relatively little is known about the physiology and immunity of chelonians (turtles). Understanding how individuals of this abundant species manage their energy may provide insight to potential windows of vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts, which could be translated to other chelonians with similar life histories. Funding: Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University Biological Sciences Department, Arkansas Audubon Society, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Create@AState. Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris illinoensis) presence in Northeast Arkansas. Funded by the State Wildlife Grant by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, I am part of a project where we are surveying the population size of Ilinois Chorus Frog using call surveys. This species is considered "imperiled" in much of its range, but little is known about its status in the small corner of Northeast Arkansas where they inhabit. Though present in the state, our two years of survey work suggest that suitable habitat, and thus populations, are in decline. A Graduate Research Assistantship supported me during this project. Funding: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |
Poster Presented at SICB 2021
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Past Research
Road mortality and nesting behaviors of female diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) on the Jekyll Island Causeway in Jekyll Island, GA. Female diamondback terrapins are marsh-dwelling turtles and therefore must select nest sites above the tideline. Roads cutting through marshlands are built on higher ground than the surrounding habitat, providing preferred nesting habitat on either side of the road. Unfortunately, nesting season and vacation season on Jekyll Island occur at the same time, and lead to high rates of mortality due to traffic collisions. Such events lead to detrimental losses to the reproductive female population of this long-lived species. Such losses can have wide-ranging effects on the ecosystem because diamondback terrapins act as both predator and prey in their environment, in which eggs and hatchlings are food for many organisms, while adults keep snail populations in check. I led the monitoring effort along the Jekyll Island Causeway for two years, contributing to the long-term dataset and preventing hundreds of road mortalities each year. Funding: Georgia Sea Turtle Center, AmeriCorps Paternal care in Japanese Giant Salamanders (Andrias japonicus). Den masters are males that maintain a territory in the form of a den. This den is aggressively guarded as females gather at dens to choose a potential mating opportunity. If the den and the male are suitable, females will deposit eggs within the den. The male will fertilize the eggs and guard the nest until hatching. It was discovered that these males exhibit paternal care by removing dead eggs which attract and promote water mold infestations, aerating the eggs through tail fanning, and protecting the offspring. Den masters will guard the nest regardless of mixed paternity of the nest, as satellite males may sneak into the den during spawning. Through my research as an undergraduate at Bucknell University, I found that males also exhibit paternal care before the eggs are deposited, through den cleaning. Males will kick their hind limbs to stir up debris from the substrate of the nest, by which the natural flow of the water within the nest may remove from the den. This behavior increases in frequency as the spawning event approaches. This research was published in 2018 and on my very first publication, I received first authorship! |