Education

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology 2013
School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences (SAFES)
College of Agricultural, Forest, and Life Sciences (CAFLS)
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634

M.S. Marine Sciences 2008
College of Arts & Sciences
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL, 36688
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Dauphin Island, AL 36529

B.S. Biological Sciences 2004
College of Arts & Sciences
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL, 36688

C.V.

teaching experience

Ecology (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Frostburg State University & Southern Arkansas University
4 semesters

An in-depth discussion of the interactions of organisms with each other and with their environments
Topics range from individual, to populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and global ecology
Designed to develop educated voters that can understand the consequences of environmental change, population management, and personal choices
Labs teach student basic techniques in the field, provide hands-on examples for data collection & experimental design, and statistical analyses - including coding in MS Excel and R software
Students design & carry out 2 experiments over the semester. They present their results, including stats to the class

Invertebrate Zoology (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Frostburg State University
2 semesters

An overview of the major taxonomic groups of invertebrate organisms with an emphasis on groups found in Maryland
Weekly readings of local research on major groups
Intense familiarization with taxonomy and morphology for comparative purposes
As many live-specimen labs as we get!

Scientific Investigation and Communication
Instructor of Record
Frostburg State University
2 semesters

Students design and carry out a short-term experiment
Results are analyzed, interpreted, and put into a larger context so that a manuscript can be written on the project
Scientific communication from traditional (manuscript and conference presentation) and contemporary (press-releases, podcasts, and social media) communications are discussed and practiced
Final projects include a poster and 15-minute conference-style presentation of results

Entomology (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Frostburg State University
1 semester

An overview of the major taxa of hexapods in Maryland
Students are in charge of a semester-long collection
We have weekly readings on local and regional topics related to insects
Laboratory activities familiarize students with the morphology and identification of insect groups

Independent Research
Instructor of Record
Frostburg State University & Southern Arkansas University
4 semesters

Students work alone or in pairs to plan, carry out, process, and analyze research projects dealing with environmental plastics or parasitology
Projects completed by mid- March are presented at the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASP) conference.
1 student in 2021
6 students in 2019
1 student in 2018

Parasitology (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester

An overview of the major taxonomic groups of parasitic organisms with an emphasis on those that cause disease in humans & animals
Weekly readings of pop-literature in the subject (Parasite Rex by Car Zimmer) and peer-reviewed publications
Students quickly learn to become effective & efficient readers, and randomly are assigned to lead paper discussions
Small groups present interesting concepts they know well on the subject to a non-science audience with great success
Labs include dissections & necropsies of invertebrates, vertebrates & plants
Parasites were pulled from assigned samples (intestinal parasites & entomological samples) & each student stained, mounted, and collected their own parasites for a class collection

University Biology II (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester

Topics include ecology, evolution, and the diversity of life - for biology majors freshman year
Students write a 2,000-word paper on a taxonomic family of their choice, learning how to use reference librarians & the writing center on campus
Labs provide a brief overview of basic organismal groups
Lecture is designed to provide students with foundational information needed for upper division courses while developing needed study skills for success in college

Field Experiences (lecture & lab)
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
2 semesters

Lecture included a semester-long preparatory course where students researched and planned for a trip to the national parks of the US
Fundraised over $12,000 to fully support travel and supply costs
Students developed lists of organisms, geological features, astronomical constellations & subjects, and human-based items that they hoped to/might encounter while on the trip
Students planned their final projects - aimed to share their experience with the general public
The lab consisted of a 7-day trip to 3 National Parks in TX & NM
Students hiked, went horseback riding, canoeing, wildlife-watched & documented their experience
The final presentation was attended by dozens of university & public patrons, followed by a brief Q&A session

Biology Colloquium
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester

Provided resources for students to enhance their professional development materials for post-graduate life: resumes, CVs, personal statements, elevator pitches, vision statements, application questionnaire assistance, phone/skype/in-person interview responses
Set-up 2 phone, skype, or in-person interviews for each student to speak with professionals in the fields they are interested in

Oceanography
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester

Used current and classic peer-reviewed papers to teach chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and geological oceanography
Linked non-biology disciplines to the ecology, distribution, and physiology of marine organisms
Small class size allowed for personalized tutoring on topics that were not covered in general science courses at a college level
No concurrent lab offered

Marine Biology
Instructor of Record
Southern Arkansas University
1 semester

Overview of ecological systems present in marine environments
Linked concepts in chemical oceanography, atmospheric & oceanographic physics, and geological processes to marine ecology
In-depth assessments of marine organisms, their relationships, and future in a changing world
No concurrent lab offered

Special Topics in Parasitology & Conservation
Independent Research
University of California, San Diego/Scripps Oceanography
2 semesters

Developed the outline & annotated bibliographies for a publication modeling the interaction of parasites & marine plastics in seabird populations
Developed a parasite & plastic interaction model using biological values gleamed from the literature
Worked with 5 undergraduate students to perform a literature search of endoparasites & ectoparasites of 60 species of coastal birds
Developed database of parasites in coastal birds

Aquatic Community Assessment and Analysis
Creative Inquiry
Clemson University
6 semesters

Designed, implementation, assessment, and presentation of findings of experimental field research projects
Exposed students to scientific literature to facilitate meaningful learning of ecological concepts
Students used simple field equipment, collected, and processed over 1200 field samples

Avian Ecology and Citizen Science
Creative Inquiry
Clemson University
4 semesters

Participated in multiple citizen science programs associated with bird research and reporting
Exposed students to scientific literature to facilitate meaningful learning of ecological and social concepts
Students designed a field study that incorporates the Citizen Science initiative 'Project Feeder Watch'

Teaching Assistant
Biology Laboratory
Clemson University
7 semesters, 21 sections

Trained students to use standard biological laboratory equipment and instrumentation
Developed in-class assignments to test material retention
Provided monthly study sessions for students interested in reinforcing course material

Teaching Assistant
Ecology Laboratory
Clemson University
1 semester, 2 sections

Weekly field trips were used to teach ecological concepts from various ecosystems in South Carolina
Created study guides and provided tutoring to students in need of extra help outside of class
Assigned weekly lab reports that improved overall writing skills of students by over 70%

Teaching Assistant
Marine Aquaculture
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
2 semesters

Organized field trips to various facilities involved in the culture of various marine organisms
Proctored and graded assessments of students designed to test retention of course material
Was guest lecturer for material covering freshwater salmonid operations (4 lectures)

Teaching Assistant
Marine Biology
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
1 semester

Assisted in teaching of field and laboratory techniques of northern Gulf of Mexico research
Brought students on overnight field trips to visit and sample in various marine habitats
Demonstrated proper techniques for dissection of fishes to check for parasite infection

Laboratory Instructor
Biology
University of South Alabama
1 semester, 3 sections

Trained students to use simple and complex laboratory equipment
Lectured on various biological concepts required for the pre-med Biological Sciences program
Lead students in a variety of dissections from invertebrates to small vertebrates

Ecology lab students carrying out an in-class experiment

Hay! Did you know even livestock eat plastic. You can see the green baling nylon used on round bales

Student researchers returning from sample collecting along roadsides in Columbia County, Arkansas. So shy!

View from the top of the highest peak in Texas: Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains NP, Texas

Horseback riding near Big Bend National Park, Texas

Students leaving the light at the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns National Par, New Mexico

Fundraising meme for Field Experiences course

electrofishing with SCDNR on lake Moultrie

marsh bird banding on Kiawah Island with local wildlife researcher assessing sparrow abundance

Radio telemetry on Lake Moultrie with SCDNR

Creative Inquiry students present a poster at the annual Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting

Creative Inquiry student explains his research at the Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting in WV