Research:
"Population-Level Variation in Vocalizations of Rana boylii, The Foothill Yellow Legged Frog" (2014-2017)
This thesis examined variation in call types among populations of R. boylii and compared them for differences across three geographically isolated populations. Underwater vocalizations were recorded using a hydrophone and analyzed for spectral properties (dominant frequency and high frequency) and temporal properties (call duration, pulse number, pulse rate, pulse duration, note number, and note duration) using the bioacoustics software Raven Pro.
-Population sampling - Species identification -Capture and release - Marking (injectable elastomeres) - Bioacoustic Analysis
*** In progress for publishing
"Rock Creek Cresta Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) Restoration and Population Enhancement Project" (2015-current)
The objective of this study is to implement intervention activities to increase the existing population to achieve a viable, self-sustaining population. Intervention activities include several techniques such as head starting, field translocation, in situ rearing and captive rearing of egg masses and tadpole. (Supervisor and lead on the project: Dr. Amy Lind)
- Grant writing - Permit writing -Population sampling -Tanslocation -Captive and in situ
“Disturbance Effects on the foothill yellow-legged frog, Rana boylii: A Comparison of Horse Creek and Three Forks Creek, Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve” (2013-2014)
The objectives of this study were to see if the population in Horse Creek had rebounded and to see if there was any difference in activity and population dynamics between the two similar creeks that may be caused by a disturbance in the previous winter.
-Population sampling - Species identification -Gender identification -Capture and release -Substrate identification (plant ID and rock formations)
*Awarded the Outstanding Scientist of the Year Award and won the 17th Annual Biology Poster Symposium at California State University, Chico with this research.
“Effects of Methyl Jasmonate and Inbreeding on Sex Allocation in Mimulus guttatus” (2012-current)
We tested the hypothesis that the effects of herbivory on plant reproduction may be explained by resources allocated toward induced defenses. This was one of a series of experiments done by Dr. Chris Ivey on Mimulus sp. (Supervisor and main author: Dr. Chris Ivey)
-Microscope use –Plant Physiology –Experimental Design –Field collection in Lassen National Forrest
“Selection for Mating System, Flowering Time, and Antiherbivore Defense Traits in Mimulus guttatus” (2009-2011)
The objective of this study was to test that natural selection favored combinations of traits that maximize individual fitness and whether traits associated with selfing vs. outcrossing taxa may reflect alternative adaptive peaks. (Supervisor and main author: Dr. Chris Ivey)
-Plant dissection –Microscope use –Plant Physiology –ImageJ -NIST
“Maladaptive Copulatory Behaviors of Hylephila phyleus” (2011)
The purpose of this study was to understand the common maladaptive behaviors of male Fiery Skipper butterflies, which is known to chase after inanimate objects for the purpose of copulation.
-Butterfly Surveying –Butterfly Capture –Butterfly ID and Sex ID
Awards:
Biology Excellence in Teaching Award 2019
Award for my teaching in the Biology Department at CSU, Chico.
Sacramento Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation Grant 2017
Awarded for my Rana boylii reintroduction/population enhancement
work on the Feather River
CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement 2015
Awarded for superior academic performance,
exemplary community service, and significant personal accomplishments.
Sole CSU, Chico recipient.
Phillip A. Cothern Memorial Scholarship 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
CSU Chico Research and Creativity Grant 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
Wes Dempsey Field Research Grant 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
Vesta Holt Field Studies Merit Project Award 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
California Higher Education Sustainability Program Award 2014
Awarded for the creation and implementation of the Green Events Consulting
Team at California State University, Chico.
Associated Students Employee of the Year 2014
Awarded for my years of work with AS Sustainability
Wes Dempsey Field Research Grant 2014
Awarded for my master’s thesis proposal on Rana boylii
Michael Abruzzo Outstanding Scientist Award 2013
Awarded for my research on Rana boylii at the Annual Biological Sciences Student
Research Symposium at California State University Chico
Student Sustainability Fund Allocation Committee Grant 2013
Awarded $5000 to purchase sustainable event waste bins for
The Green Event Consulting Team
Dean’s List 2011, 2013, 2014
California State University, Chico
Excellence in Science Scholarship 2007
Awarded to a graduating senior who excelled in Science
"Population-Level Variation in Vocalizations of Rana boylii, The Foothill Yellow Legged Frog" (2014-2017)
This thesis examined variation in call types among populations of R. boylii and compared them for differences across three geographically isolated populations. Underwater vocalizations were recorded using a hydrophone and analyzed for spectral properties (dominant frequency and high frequency) and temporal properties (call duration, pulse number, pulse rate, pulse duration, note number, and note duration) using the bioacoustics software Raven Pro.
-Population sampling - Species identification -Capture and release - Marking (injectable elastomeres) - Bioacoustic Analysis
*** In progress for publishing
"Rock Creek Cresta Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) Restoration and Population Enhancement Project" (2015-current)
The objective of this study is to implement intervention activities to increase the existing population to achieve a viable, self-sustaining population. Intervention activities include several techniques such as head starting, field translocation, in situ rearing and captive rearing of egg masses and tadpole. (Supervisor and lead on the project: Dr. Amy Lind)
- Grant writing - Permit writing -Population sampling -Tanslocation -Captive and in situ
“Disturbance Effects on the foothill yellow-legged frog, Rana boylii: A Comparison of Horse Creek and Three Forks Creek, Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve” (2013-2014)
The objectives of this study were to see if the population in Horse Creek had rebounded and to see if there was any difference in activity and population dynamics between the two similar creeks that may be caused by a disturbance in the previous winter.
-Population sampling - Species identification -Gender identification -Capture and release -Substrate identification (plant ID and rock formations)
*Awarded the Outstanding Scientist of the Year Award and won the 17th Annual Biology Poster Symposium at California State University, Chico with this research.
“Effects of Methyl Jasmonate and Inbreeding on Sex Allocation in Mimulus guttatus” (2012-current)
We tested the hypothesis that the effects of herbivory on plant reproduction may be explained by resources allocated toward induced defenses. This was one of a series of experiments done by Dr. Chris Ivey on Mimulus sp. (Supervisor and main author: Dr. Chris Ivey)
-Microscope use –Plant Physiology –Experimental Design –Field collection in Lassen National Forrest
“Selection for Mating System, Flowering Time, and Antiherbivore Defense Traits in Mimulus guttatus” (2009-2011)
The objective of this study was to test that natural selection favored combinations of traits that maximize individual fitness and whether traits associated with selfing vs. outcrossing taxa may reflect alternative adaptive peaks. (Supervisor and main author: Dr. Chris Ivey)
-Plant dissection –Microscope use –Plant Physiology –ImageJ -NIST
“Maladaptive Copulatory Behaviors of Hylephila phyleus” (2011)
The purpose of this study was to understand the common maladaptive behaviors of male Fiery Skipper butterflies, which is known to chase after inanimate objects for the purpose of copulation.
-Butterfly Surveying –Butterfly Capture –Butterfly ID and Sex ID
Awards:
Biology Excellence in Teaching Award 2019
Award for my teaching in the Biology Department at CSU, Chico.
Sacramento Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation Grant 2017
Awarded for my Rana boylii reintroduction/population enhancement
work on the Feather River
CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement 2015
Awarded for superior academic performance,
exemplary community service, and significant personal accomplishments.
Sole CSU, Chico recipient.
Phillip A. Cothern Memorial Scholarship 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
CSU Chico Research and Creativity Grant 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
Wes Dempsey Field Research Grant 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
Vesta Holt Field Studies Merit Project Award 2015
Awarded for my master’s thesis project on Rana boylii
California Higher Education Sustainability Program Award 2014
Awarded for the creation and implementation of the Green Events Consulting
Team at California State University, Chico.
Associated Students Employee of the Year 2014
Awarded for my years of work with AS Sustainability
Wes Dempsey Field Research Grant 2014
Awarded for my master’s thesis proposal on Rana boylii
Michael Abruzzo Outstanding Scientist Award 2013
Awarded for my research on Rana boylii at the Annual Biological Sciences Student
Research Symposium at California State University Chico
Student Sustainability Fund Allocation Committee Grant 2013
Awarded $5000 to purchase sustainable event waste bins for
The Green Event Consulting Team
Dean’s List 2011, 2013, 2014
California State University, Chico
Excellence in Science Scholarship 2007
Awarded to a graduating senior who excelled in Science