Professional Experience

Professor of Biology and Associate Chair, Department of Biological Sciences

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois. 1994 - present.

Research: During my years of research, I have come to understand and appreciate a wide diversity of biological areas such as the fields of aquatic biology, fisheries biology, evolutionary biology, and physiological ecology. My approach within these fields of interest integrates theoretical and applied research on natural populations to answering questions concerning such topics as parental investment theory in ectotherms to determining the effects of environmental stressors on aquatic organisms. At the present time, my research focuses on the following two specific areas: 1) examining changes in morphology, physiology, behavior and life-history traits of bluegills and other aquatic organisms in response to environmental perturbation. This research involves both field and laboratory experiments utilizing state of the art laboratory equipment and procedures to answer questions concerning changes in body shape, performance traits, lipid cycles, reproductive cycles, metabolic rates, and age at sexual maturity in bluegills and other aquatic organisms from stressed sites, and 2) determining the effects of land-use practices on stream ecosystems. This research involves intense field analysis to answer questions related to the effects of flow regime and riparian zone changes on species diversity, species richness, biotic integrity and genetic structure of stream fish communities. Recent research projects have specifically examined 1) the effects of landscape processes on fish communities, 2) the effects of near stream habitat changes on the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), and 3) the effects of stream habitat fragmentation on the genetic diversity of stream fish populations. In addition, I am also conducting research aimed at determining the egg components and developmental process of fish and reptiles in relation to parental investment patterns.
  
Teaching: My teaching assignments have been General Biology, Environmental Life Science, Honors Environmental Life Science, Ichthyology, Fisheries Management and Ecology, Stream Ecology and graduate seminar.

Service:  University- Faculty Senate, Council of Graduate Studies, University Honors Council, National Student Exchange Committee, Enrollment Management Committee, Intercollegiate Athletic Board, NCAA Self-Study Committee, University Faculty Development Committee, Chair of Faculty Fellows Program, Freshman Read Committee, McNair Grant Committee, Library Advisory Board (chair), Campus Recreation Board, Presidents Task Force on Athletic Funding, Family Weekend Committee, Conservation Committee, Parent Newsletter Committee, Textbook Rental Advisory Committee, Advisor Association of Honor’s Students.   University Searches – Presidential Search, Associate Director Financial Aid, Director of Campus Recreation, Director of Grants and Research, Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Women’s Head Softball Coach. College- College of Sciences Facilities Committee, Graduate Students Investigator Awards Committee, Sciencefest Committee Department -  Graduate Committee, Planning Committee, Budget Committee, Environmental Studies Committee (chair), Curriculum Committee, Honors Program, Vehicle Use Committee (chair), Awards Committee (chair), Safety Committee (chair), Personal Committee, Vertebrate Search Committee (chair), Herpetology Search Committee (chair) Professional.  Professional  -  President Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (also been  treasure and newsletter editor), Member of  Illinois Fish Endangered Species Technical Committee, Eco-Watch Professional, Urban Fish Program Participant, Science Fair Judge, Member of Charleston Historic Preservation Commission (chair), Expanding Your Horizons Conference, Reviewer for Grants (National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health) Journals (Copeia, Fisheries, Journal of Herpetology, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fish Biology, Illinois State Academy of Sciences) and Books.  
 
Associate Chair of Biology: duties include assisting the chair in developing and reviewing long-range department goals and objectives, recruitment and evaluation of department faculty and staff, preparing and administering department budgets, preparation of course schedules and assignment of duties for faculty and staff and providing leadership in the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to the department.  I also coordinate the selection of student scholarship recipients, assignment of student advisees to faculty, assignment of faculty to department committees, coordinate the Graduate Teaching Assistant Program and am responsible for departmental assessment plans.  In addition, I establish and maintain a departmental alumni database, and serve as liaison to the Physical Plant for building renovations

Research Experience

Research Coordinator, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina. January 1986 - August 1994--Conducting research in the field of Physiological Ecology on a wide range of vertebrate ectotherms. The major focus of my research at the present time is to examine the effects of metal accumulation on the life-history traits of the yellow-bellied turtle, Trachemys scripta. This includes examining changes in reproductive rate, egg number, egg size and juvenile survival in relation to metal accumulation. I am also presently determining the egg components and developmental process of both snakes and alligators in relation to parental investment theory. Data is also being collected on the anaerobic capabilities of the American alligator to determine if the lack of anaerobic scope is responsible for limiting the alligator's northern range. Other projects include looking at the demographics, ecology and energetics of lizards, along with determining the effects of high calcium diets on turtle growth rates. My research skills range from the ability to use doubly labeled water to determine field metabolic rates to bomb calorimetry for determination of calories. I am also responsible for the development, set-up, maintenance, QA/QC, and safety of the Physiological Ecology Lab which includes instruments such as evaporative water loss chambers, O₂ and CO₂ analysis machines, macro-micro bomb calorimeters, soxhlet apparatus, and hormone analysis machine. I am also responsible for the expenditures and allocation of monies to projects from a budget in excess of forty thousand dollars. I also supervise technicians, graduate and undergraduate students along with collaborating on projects with visiting faculty from Penn State University, University of Alabama, University of North Carolina and The University of Toronto. Lastly, I am responsible for the data management (dBASE, Lotus 1, 2, 3+, Excel), data analysis (SAS on VAX and PC), and manuscript preparation (Word, WordPerfect, Power Point, Harvard Graphics and Sigma Plot) for projects being conducted in the laboratory.
  
Research Assistant, Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, January 1985 to January 1986--Assisting on a research project to examine predator-prey interactions, temperature profiles, and growth rates of stream fish. Seined and identified fish; constructed stream troughs for determining predator-prey interactions. Also designed and constructed a temperature gradient for determining preferred temperature and final preferendum. Compiled data and conducted preliminary statistics analyses on stream habitat use.
  
Research Consultant, Great Lakes Laboratory, State University College at Buffalo, September 1984 to January 1985--Supervised a project to determine the effects of chemical pollutants on the invertebrate fauna of a stream. Collected and identified invertebrates; used computers to compile data and conducted statistical analysis to determine the effects of pollutants. (Project 2) Participated in a field study to determine feeding habits and spawning locations of Lake Trout and Walleye. Seined and gill netted fish; examined and identified stomach contents; constructed a preliminary map of spawning locations on the Niagara River.
  
Research Assistant, Department of Biology, State University College at Buffalo, September 1982 to May 1984--Prepared for and participated in a Department of Energy funded biotelemetric field experiments at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina. Constructed and calibrated single channel radio transmitters; tracked and collected data on free-swimming bass in a nuclear reactor cooling pond.
  
Research Assistant, Department of Biology, State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, March 1981 to June 1981--Examined effects of acid rain on fish, prepared and examined histological slides of small mouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) of the New York State Adirondack region.
 
Research Assistant, Department of Biology, State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, May 1981 to August 1981--Assisted in a research project examining predator prey interaction. Seined and identified fish; compiled data and conducted preliminary statistical analyses to detect temporal changes in population structure.<>

University of South Carolina Aiken:

Biology (non‑majors), Department of Natural Sciences, 1988‑present‑‑Prepared and administered lectures and laboratories on such topics as: cell structure and function; cell chemistry, cell division; genetics; gene expression and regulation; animal development; evolution; ecology. Used the text book Biology: Concepts and Applications and the lab manual Perspectives In Introductory Biology. Administered tests, graded exams and determined grades while advising students.

Biology (majors), Department of Natural Science, 1988‑1990‑‑Prepared and administered lectures and laboratories on such topics as the scientific method, biological chemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, population genetics, evolution, plant and animal diversity, growth, reproduction, physiology, and ecology. Used the text book Biology: The Science Of Life and the lab manual Biology Laboratory. Administered tests, graded exams and determined grades while advising students.

Environmental Biology, Department of Natural Sciences, 1991. Prepared and administered lectures on topics such as ecosystem processes, water and soil pollution, global changes, solid and hazardous wastes, and conservation. Used the text book Environment. Administrated tests, graded tests, and determined grades.

Beginning Algebra, Department of Math, 1990‑1991‑‑Prepared and administered lectures and recitation to illustrate basic algebraic manipulations with rational expressions, and exponents; solutions of quadratic equations and systems of linear equations. Used text book Beginning Algebra. Administrated test, graded exams and determined grades.

Intermediate Algebra, Department of Math, 1990‑1991‑‑Prepared and administered lectures on algebraic manipulations involving the quadratic equation, linear equations, matrices, vectors and linear programming. Used the text book Intermediate Algebra. Administered test, graded exams and determined grades.  

State University College at Buffalo 

Cold Blooded Vertebrate, Department of Biology, 1984‑‑Prepared lectures and laboratories on such topics as evolution, ecology, behavior, structure, and physiology of cold blooded vertebrates. Prepared equipment for and assisted during field trips, prepared lab practicums, administered tests, graded exams, and lab reports. 

Statistics, Department of Biology, 1982‑1984‑‑Taught lectures and recitations in statistical problem solving using such techniques as regression analysis, model checking and analysis of residuals, analysis of variance including basic concepts, randomized block design, and covariance. Prepared and proctored exams; graded problem sets and exams.  

Zoology, Department of Biology, 1983‑‑Taught lectures and laboratories on topics such as vertebrate anatomy, development, and plant and animal classification. Prepared lab practicums, prepared and administered exams; graded exams and lab reports.  

Ecology, Department of Biology, 1983‑‑Conducted ecological laboratories on such topics as population structure and dynamics, organization and classification of communities, and nutrient and energy flows of ecosystems. Prepared equipment for and assisted during field trips, graded exams and laboratory reports.

 

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