Students

Current and Recent Students:

Ph.D.
    • Brad Small. Wetland Restoration and seedling strategies. 2019-present.
    • Rebecca Eagle-Malone. Phytoremediation (Biomimicry Fellow with Cleveland Zoo). 2015-Present
MS
    • Stuart Davis. 2019-present. Remote sensing for wildlife monitoring
    • Allison Hoffman – Ecology of feral cats. (2016-present).
Master’s Co-Advisor
    • Parker Stoller. Temporary wetland Macroinvertebrate communities in relation to road proximity. (2016-2019)
    • Greg Frankoviak. Space Use By Coyotes (Canis latrans) In An Urbanizing Landscape, & Implications for Management  (2011-2014).
  • Tara Buk gene flow patterns of the five lined skink Eumeces fasciatus in the fragmented landscape of northeast Ohio (2011-2014). Now animal keeper at Smithsonian Institution
Ph.D. (Member of Dissertation Committee)
    • Jennifer Shimola. Bowling Green State University (Student with Helen Michaels). Maintenance of a seed color polymorphism 2013-present
    • Gerardo Arceo-Gomez. Competition for pollination. University of Pittsburgh. (Student with TL Ashman). 2011-2014.
    • Alissa Calabrese. Clam shrimp Ecology and evolution. UA. 2011-present
  • Lara Roketenetz. Biocontrol of Eurasian milfoil. UA. 2009-2015

Past Students:

Ph.D. (Co-Advisor or Committee Member)
    • Heath Garris. Restructuring of wetland communities in response to a changing climate at multiple spatial & taxonomic scales. 2008-2013.  Now Faculty at Covenant College after a postdoc at Thompson Rivers University with Lauchlan Fraser.
    • Ryan Walsh. Reproductive ecology of Cypripedium calceolaris. BGSU (Student with Helen Michaels). 2009-2012
    • Rowan Huia Brookes. Reproductive success and sexual allocation in Stylidium armeria. (reader for dissertation in Biology, Monash University, Australia). 2009
    • John Henri. Apples Abound: Farmers, Orchards, and the Cultural Landscapes of Agrarian Reform, 1820-1860. (Reader for dissertation in History, UA) 2008
    • Aaron Gabbe. Evolution of nectar sucrose concentration in Ipomopsis aggregata, University of California Santa Cruz. 2003-2008. Now Environmental Consultant, TRA associates, California
    • L. Brian Patrick. Trophic dynamics in a temperate grassland. University of Akron/KSU. 2001-2009. Now Faculty at Dakota Wesleyan University.
    • Karsten Holmquist. Pollen carryover dynamics for Mimulus ringens. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 2000-2005. Postdoc with Joann Brunet, University of Wisconsin Madison.2005-2010.
    • Beverly Brown: PhD 1999; Impact of an invasive species (Lythrum salicaria) on pollination of a native species (L. alatum). Kent State University 1996- 1999. Now Faculty, Department of Biology, Nazareth College, Rochester NY (2001-present).
    • John Bell. The effect of interspecific competition for pollinator service on seed production and outcrossing rates in Mimulus ringens (Scrophulariaceae). University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 2000-2003. Vice-President for Consulting Services at Applied Ecological Services, Broadhead Wisconsin 2003-present.
    • XiuJie Shi. Inbreeding and Inbreeding Depression in Lupinus perennis Bowling Green State University 1998 -2004. Now statistician in Southern Michigan.
  • Robert Cabin: An examination of the ecological and evolutionary relationship between the seed bank & surface plant population of Lesquerella fendleri. University of New Mexico 1991-5. Degree conferred 1995. Now Faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh Biology Department, working on Hawaiian Conservation.
MS
  • Paige Reeher. Bumble bees utilize weedy margins and are unaffected by the increasing urban gradient. (2017-2019).
  • Mimi Jenkins. Effects of density on competition for pollination between Mimulus ringens and Verbena hastata. (2012-present). PhD Clemson University
  • Troy Dunn – Spatial variation in rates of parasitism in bumble bees (2011-2017). Naturalist, City of Fairlawn
  • Tony Miller – Monitoring of Sphagnum at a restoration site and possibilities for restorative activities. (2014-2016).  Now PhD student at Kent State University
  • Joel Bingham Habitat quality of headwater streams (2008- 2015).  Now restoration biologist/group manager at Enviroscience
  • Roger Harris. Small population persistence in the floodplain: the reproductive strategies of Mimulus ringens L. (Phrymaceae). (2002-2008). Degree conferred 2008. Now with environmental consulting firm in NY.
  • Anthony Kinyo. Effects of distance on competition for pollination between invasive purple loosestrife and native winged loosestrife. (2003-2005). Degree conferred 2005.
  • Shannon Ehlers. Brown headed cowbird effects on natives. (2002-2005). Degree conferred 2005. Now field researcher in Washington state and Virginia.
  • Kristin Napper. Effects of Multiple Factors on Nest-Site Selection and Nesting Success of Easter Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). (2002-2004). Degree conferred 2004. Now instructor at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland.
  • Shane Miller. Effects of density and population size of Lupinus perennis on pollinator behavior and pollination success. (2001-2003). Degree conferred 2003. Ecological Consultant, PAstuden1
  • Christopher Bernhardt (Right) (MS 2000; Effect of Lupinus perennis population size and local density on pollinator behavior): USGS Virginia Paleopalynology Research Associate (2001-2005). PhD 2009University of Pennsylvania, paleo environments 2005-2009. Now with USGS Virginia Paleopalynology, studying paleoecology and paleopalynology of everglades, egyptian, and other areas.
  • Suzanne Prusnek (Right) (MS 1999; Nectar robbery and pollination ecology of the spring ephemeral, IndianrideMertensia virginica (Boraginaceae)): Ohio EPA hazardous waste management, NE Ohio (2001). Motorcycle afficionado extraordinaire!
  • Charlotte McCurdy (MS 1999; Influence of founder events on genetic polymorphism and allelic frequencies of Sarracenia purpurea): District Preserve Manager (Nine Ohio preserves within Lake, Ashtabula, Mahoning, and Columbiana Counties) with ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (2001).
Withdrawn:
  • Heather Roush. Urban ecology. (2003-2004; DNF – became environmental engineer)
  • Joseph Brown. Effectiveness of native plants in constructed wetlands (2005- present)
  • Mike Boiwka. Modeling the influence of pollinators on plant genetic structure. 2007-present
  • Matt York. Bioremediation. (2009-2011; became Woodrow Wilson Teaching Scholar)
Bachelor’s Degree (Including Honors Students and Student Projects):
  • Blue (Clarity) Gunn. Spatial pH variation in the tamarack bog.
  • Nicholas Lanz. Tamarack seedling establishment to restore a bog. 2017-2019
  • Sara Stiles. Mimulus response to water levels. 2017-2018
  • Bradley Small. Restoration of an invaded marsh. 2016-2017.
  • Andrew Wuellner. Geographic variation in Mimulus 2016.
  • Cam Thompson. Pollen tubes in Mimulus ringens. 2015-2016
  • Aaron Baumgardner. Calculating the rate of spread of Phragmites australis in Summit County, OH using GIS. 2014-2016
  • Janean Kazimir Relating Personality and Body Size to Social Networks and Dispersal Behavior in Female Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). 2013-2015
  • Ziad Shwaiki. Micro-topographic and pH Effects on Sphagnum  2014-2015.
  • Josh Miller. Behavior of Pollinators that share Co-Flowering Wetland Plant Species 2014-2015.
  • Margeaux Flaherty – 2013.
  • Jeanean Kazmir – 2013-
  • John (Tony) Miller. Plant response to climate change. 2011-2013
  • Nichole Houze. Cattail insect communities. 2011-2012
  • Hannah Bunch. Pollen limitation in Mimulus ringens. 2011-2012
  • Christopher Weakland – Determinants of Ant diversity (not completed). 2009-2011
  • Kim Lorentz – Nectar production by native and invasive species at RMBL. 2010-2011.
  • Marcel Nwizu – Pollinator sharing by wetland plants. 2009-11
  • Sheena Davis – Pollination of Mimulus ringens 2013
  • Matt Salkiewicz – Flora of the tamarack bog 2013
  • Caitlin McClendon – Pollen standing crops of Mimulus ringens. 2013
  • Sean Copley – Effects of temperature on insect activity. 2012-13
  • Janelle Leeson. Milfoil Weevil genetics 2012
  • Lindsey Steinwachs – Species/area curves for wetlands. 2012
  • Jason Pearce. Competition in Mimulus plants. 2012.
  • John Lowrey. Plant diversity at BNP.
  • Jennifer Morris. Road Kill survey. 2012.
  • Sarah Kay. Tiered mentoring. Plant response to climate change. 2011-2012
  • Miriam Kury. Correlation of seed production and stigma closure in Mimulus ringens. 2012
  • Sam Awadallah and Ben Pollack. Infrared vision and behavioral response in insects. 2011
  • Earnest Harris. Mimulus seed germination. 2011.
  • Katelin Stoltz – Squirrel behavioral Ecology 2011
  • Sam Mudd (REU student) 2011.
  • Jeff Durrant. Mimulus stigma behavior. 2011
  • Mara Monaco. – Wetland tree identification. 2011
  • Anurag Sharma. Pollen tubes in Mimulus ringens. 2010 Fall
  • Gillian MacDonald. GIS analysis of Invasive plants at Panzner Wetlands. 2010 Fall.
  • Zack Haack. Tiered mentoring. Plant response to climate change. 2010-2011.
  • Julia Fine: Wing disk loading in bees. 2010. Allometry of reproduction in Mimulus ringens. 2009
  • Chazity Bush. Effects of fertilization on morphology of grassland plants. 2010.
  • Lori Johnson. Wetland restoration internship. 2010.
  • Ryan Folk.- REU Sex allocation in Bromus inermis. 2009
  • Jenn Ryavec. REU Pollinators in grasslands of the Bath Nature Preserve 2009.
  • Sean Kelly – Tiered mentoring; moth diversity, and pollinator behavior. 2009-2010
  • Suprenia Sigler. Pollinators in grasslands of the Bath Nature Preserve- 2008
  • Brittany Barta. Seedling competition in Mimulus ringens. 2007
  • Laura Mohan. Pollinator communities. 2007
  • Elizabeth George – Pollinator communities 2007
  • Elizabeth Gates. Grassland Ecology. 2007
  • Charles Lacey. Human Behavior. 2005.
  • Leah Teeter. BS 2004. Bird Behavior work for Biological Problems. Now working at a commercial research lab (Wil Research, Ashland OH).
  • Kitty Mulac, BS 2003. Developed digital pollen counting techniques, generally active in the lab and greenhouse. Now in Ecology and Evolution PhD program, OSU.
  • Mike Laquatra. BS. ~2002. now ??
  • Dave Coons B.S. ~2002. Worked in Insurance through 2004, now investigating work and graduate study in field biology
  • Joel Thompson, BS ~ 2000. Now doing plant surveys in Oregon?
  • Shane Miller BS ~ 2000. Worked on Lupine project, independent project on bee diversity (part of this was published 2002: Miller, SR, R Gaebel, RJ Mitchell, M Arduser. Occurrence of two species of old world bees, Anthidium manicatum and A. oblongatum (Apoidea: Megachilidae) in northern Ohio and southern Michigan. Great Lakes Entomologist 35:65-69).            Became my graduate student in 2000 at UA (see ‘Past Students, MS’, above).
  • Rob Gaebel BS ~2000. Independent project on bee diversity. (published in 2002 — see citation for Shane Miller, above).  (2001-2005) Grad student at OSU in Ecology and Evolution.Thesis work is on fish systematics and taxonomy (chubs). Should finish thesis in Spring 2005.
  • Tim Riehl, BS ~ 2000. Taught high school in Kentucky, in 2004 returned to Akron Area to work in a commercial research lab (Wil Research, Ashland OH).
  • Keene Toney, BS ~ 2000. Now ??? in the Pacific Northwest?
  • Kevin Watson. BS ~ 1999. Working at Portage County Health Department.
  • Krista Kokiko BA 1998. Honors project on Lupine research. Now teaching (where?)
  • Bert Smith BS 1998. Honors project on Penstemon seed germination. Now ??
  • Mike Sponseller (BS ~1998). Worked elsewhere, then returned to UA to get a teaching credential (during which he did some more studies on insects. Now teaching high school in the Akron area.
  • Angela Kobyluck: BS 1997. Honors project on pitcher plant genetic diversity. Now in Med School (?)
  • Dan Ankeny: BS. 1997. Honors project on Penstemon reproduction vs. density (published in 2001:  Mitchell, RJ, and D. Ankeny. Ohio J. of Science 101:22-27). Now in Med school at OSU(?).
  • Laurie Allen. BS 1996. Honors project on Teasel seed germination. Now ??
  • Jamilla Harris (BS ~1999) – Worked on Lythrum nectar. Now ??
  • Dan Starcher (BS ~1999) – Studied trees of the Bath Field Station. Worked as a naturalist at a state park in Massachussets, then in Ohio (Columbus) working with a railroad freight company.
  • Sierjie Lash (BS ~ 1998). Studied seed size variation in Lythrum salicaria and Lythrum alatum.  Now ??
  • Mark Vergalitto (BS ~ 1996). Studied sampling and analysis of phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and hydrogen ion levels in wastewater in an artificial pond filtration system. Now works for local water quality lab.
  • Shaunna Fisher (BS ~ 1996). Measurement of pollen production and removal in Ipomopsis aggregata. Now ???
  • Julia Roll (BS 1995). Studied plant density and reproductive success of Lesquerella fendleri (University of New Mexico; published in 1997: Roll, JR, RJ Mitchell, RJ Cabin, DL Marshall. Reproductive success increases with local density of conspecifics in the desert mustard Lesquerella fendleri. Conservation Biology 11:738-746). Went on to Prescott College, then ??
  • Patricia Lucker (BS 1994). Quantitative genetics of Lesquerella fendleri (UNM) Now ???
  • Ivan Ortiz (BS 1995).  Microhabitat affinity & reproduction of Lesquerella fendleri. (UNM). Now ??