Ali Abuhagr
Broox BozeI am currently investigating the role of dung beeles in parasitic transmission of nematodes. My focus is on behavioral changes associated with these infections and the subsequent ecological significance.
Paul BrewerI'm interested in the array of effects humans and microbes have on one another: which bacteria are likely to colonize human-created environments, how fungus change when we propogate them in the process of food and beverage production, how microbial communities living in and on humans can function symbiotically or become pathogenic, how we affect communities through industrial production and how they adapt. I am currently focused on soil microbial communities and how function on the individual level integrates across space and time into biogeochemical effects.
Luke CaldwellRebecca ChongReesa ConreyMichael De Miranda Jr.Megan DeMarcheDavid EadsSince invading western North America in the early 1900’s, Yersinia pestis (the bacterium causing plague), has decimated populations of numerous mammals, including prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). The continued expansion of Y. pestis, and the high susceptibility of ferrets and prairie dogs to plague impede recovery efforts for the ferret. Along with Michael Antolin (CSU Biology Department) and Dean Biggins (USGS-FORT), and collaborators, I will investigate the ecology of Y. pestis and fleas (i.e., plague vectors) parasitizing prairie dogs and associated species, and additional questions relating to impacts of plague on the grassland wildlife of North America.
Eva FischerJennifer GlazerI am currently investigating habitat selection by black-footed ferrets on black-tailed prairie dog towns in New Mexico. More broadly, I am interested in conservation biology, animal behavior, population ecology, and habitat and wildlife management.
Todd GreenBorn and raised in Denver, Colorado, I have been fascinated with zoology and paleontology since I was four years old. As an undergraduate I studied growth rates of modern emus in order to make comparisons with growth rates of theropod dinosaurs. I am especially interested in paleognathous birds (e.g. emus, cassowaries) and comparative paleontology.
Now, a member of the Kanatous lab at Colorado State University, I am currently working on my M.S. in Zoology. I am continuing my research on emus, and am interested in their physiological adaptations in response to climate, age, and illness
Corey HandelsmanElizabeth (Liz) HarpJessica HealyI'm studying the physiology of hibernators, specifically hormonal controls of obesity in golden-mantled ground squirrels and marmots
Meribeth HuizingaMy research interests are focused on the dual roles of natural and sexual selection as mechanisms that give rise to and maintain population level variation. Currently I am using descriptive and experimental methods to identify differences in morphology, diet, and mating patterns both within and among populations of the Gold breast Splitfin (Ilyodon furcidens).
Andrew KanarekI am interested generally in the evolutionary ecology of invasive species. I am working on generalized theoretical models to predict the likelihood of establishment for introduced populations. My spatially-explicit framework incorporates dispersal, density dependent population growth, propagule pressure, and selection. Currently, I am asking questions that address the genetic variation within a population for rapid adaptive evolution to mitigate or avoid Allee effects (i.e., inverse density dependence).
Katie LanginAlicia LinkChristopher MayackIn general, I am interested in altered individual host behavior due to parasite infections and the impacts this has in a social context. More specifically I would like to answer, if a relatively new parasite to the western honeybee causes an increase in hunger how does this alter its foraging behavior in terms risk and colony behavior. To answer this I am investigating the assumptions, implications, and applicability of the risk sensitive foraging theory to the honeybee, a social organism. If infected honeybees exhibit risk-prone foraging behavior as predicted by the risk-sensitive foraging theory, then increased hunger may be the mechanism responsible for the recent disappearance of honeybees from hives - termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Ryan McShaneMatthew PyneJacob SchollSeema ShethI am interested in understanding the processes that shape the geographic distributions of species. I am examining how species' traits influence the limits and sizes of species' ranges.
Helen SofaerZachary SylvainThomas WildingWe have modified our streams and, more importantly, the processes that create habitat (sediment supply, flood intensity). Animals not adapted to this new environment are disappearing.
I want to predict the issues that are critical for preventing extinction of populations. I will not be refining detailed models to better estimate biomass of trout. We need to take a step back - develop a model that predicts the critical issues for sustaining ecosystems. Should subsequent detailed work focus on trout habitat, or will temperature-change determine the impact of a given dam? If I only succeed in eliminating potential issues (isolating low-risk mechanisms), then the product will be useful for resource management.
Jongmin Yoon
