Current Students and Their Projects
Liz Cubberley (2018) is using radio telemetry and GIS modelling techniques to investigate habitat use and movements of Blanding’s turtles and Wood turtles in Michigan. This research will contribute to current knowledge of both species and directly impact the development of local management strategies.
Katelyn Gutwein joined the lab in 2018, and is interested in modeling using historical GIS data. She hopes to be able to expand current models in order to better understand habitat distribution of Massasauga rattlesnakes.
Daniel Earl (2019) is studying Blanding’s Turtles populations in Michigan and Ohio. He is analyzing population and habitat data in order to better understand and improve on distribution and occupancy models for the species in these states, and help to inform future conservation decisions.
Bria Spalding (2020) is studying the recruitment of Blanding’s and Wood turtles using radio telemetry as well as novel GPS units on adult nesting females. She is also using radio telemetry to study the movement of hatchling turtles. Bria’s project will build on an ongoing study of the species in Michigan.
Mic Rohde (2021) is researching the demographics of Wood and Blanding’s turtles in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. His project will yield population estimations through a mark-recapture study. Other features measured will produce estimated sex ratios and age structures of the distinct populations. As both species are imperiled, this research will add crucial knowledge in the pursuit and success of their conservation.
Recent Former Students and Their Projects
Patrick Ransbottom. 2121. Amphibian Use of Restored Wetlands of Different Ages.
Reine Sovey. 2020. Microhabitat Use by Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in a Shared Landscape.
Jessica Hinson. 2018. Distribution of Populations and Suitable Habitat for Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) and Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Indiana.
Alysa Hopkins. 2018. Habitat Selection by Small Mammals in a Restored Wetland System.
Monica Matthews 2018. Landscape Ecology of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus).
Jillian Josimovich. 2018. Soft-Release May Not Enhance Translocations of Wild-Caught Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus).
Taylor Lehman. 2016. Status of Massasauga Populations and Available Habitat in Indiana.
Michael Ravesi. 2016. Timber Harvest and Prescribed Fire as Tools for Massasauga Conservation.
Ryan Smith. 2016. Effect of the Urban Matrix on Avian Assemblages in Forest Fragments.
Savanna Vaughn. 2015. Short-term Response of Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and White-footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus) to Invasive Shrub Control.
Emily Stulik. 2015. Amphibian Occupancy and Habitat Use in a System of Restored Wetlands.
Sasha Tetzlaff. 2015. To Forage, Mate or Thermoregulate? Influence of Food Supplementation on Behavior of the Rattlesnake Sistrurus catenatus.
Kevin McLane. 2015. Ecology of the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in a Suburban River. Kevin is now working as a wetland ecologist at Green 3 LLC.
Adam Bauer. 2013. Landscape Level Predictors of a Suite of Imperiled Wetland Associated Herpetofauna. Adam is a doctoral student at Northern Illinois University.
Bryan Eads. 2013. Behavioral Responses of Two syntopic Snakes (Genus Thamnophis) to Roads and Culverts.
Christopher Woodley. 2013. Predicting Spring Emergence in a Northern Population of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina).
Evin Carter. 2012. Impacts of Invasive Plants on Resource Selection and Thermoregulation by the Northern Copperhead. (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen).
Michael R. Frank. 2011. Head-starting as a Tool for the Reintroduction of Extirpated Watersnake Populations.
Chad S. Smith. 2009. Hibernation of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) in Northern Michigan.
Joanna Gibson. 2009. Influence of Prescribed Fire on a Midwestern Population of the Eastern Box Turtle.
John C. Marshall, Jr. 2008. Population Genetics and Landscape Modeling in Water Snakes. PhD Dissertation, Purdue University. Co-advisor: Rick Howard.
Nikolas D. Bieser. 2008. Spatial Ecology and Survival of Resident Juvenile and Headstarted Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) in Northern Michigan.
Brett A. DeGregorio. 2008. Response of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) to Clear-Cutting.
Brian J. Putman. 2008. Habitat Use and Spatial Ecology of the Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis gloydi) in a Disturbed Landscape.