Background

EDUCATION: 

  2007   Ph.D. Evolutionary Genetics, Purdue University
             Graduate Advisor: J. Andrew  DeWoody
             Dissertation:  Population Biology, Genetics, and Sexual Selection in Salamanders

  1998   M.S., Conservation Genetics, Savannah River Ecology Lab and Purdue University. 
             Graduate Advisor: Olin E. Rhodes, Jr.
            Thesis:  Assessment of genetic variance in source and reintroduced  fisher  populations.

   1996  B.S., Wildlife Science, Purdue University.
 

My current research focuses on using molecular tools to determine basic information on various aspects of reproduction in salamanders.  Specifically, I use microsatellite anaylses to estimate population sizes, migration levels, assess parentage, and investigate various aspects of mate choice in natural breeding populations of Ambystomatid salamanders.  I have been part of an extensive departmental research project sampling 22 counties in the upper Wabash river basin where I developed sampling protocols for amphibians and reptiles.  I also am interested in monitoring population trends and have recently developed long-term monitoring programs on departmental lands for both reptiles and amphibians.

I am currently involved with the instruction of four courses within the Forestry and Natural Resources Deparment:  FNR 242- Ecology and Systematics of Fishes and Mammals, FNR 252- Ecology and Systematics of Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds, FNR 330- Summer Practicum, and FNR 498- Collections Management.  Please visit the courses section of my webpage to view detailed information about the contents of these courses.

Vertebrate Curator- Serve as collections manager over departmental vertebrate teaching collection which includes over 15,000 specimens (i.e., 3,500 birds; 3,000 mammals; 7,000 fish; and 2,000 reptiles and amphibians). 

Departmental Liaison/Building Supervisor
Serve as the liaison for the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and members of the Purdue Animal Care and Use Committee (PACUC ).  Serve as the building supervisor of the departmental animal care facility.   Develop standard operating procedures pertaining to animal care and emergency procedures. 

Laboratory Manager

Maintain laboratory records, order laboratory supplies, train and supervise techinicians associated with wildlife nutrition and physiology labs.