Experience

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2018-Present

• Professor, Hofstra University, Department of Biology, Hempstead, NY

2013-Present

• Associate Professor, Hofstra University, Department of Biology, Hempstead, NY

2007-2013

• Assistant Professor, Hofstra University, Department of Biology, Hempstead, NY. While continuing with many of my projects that I had initiated in Florida I am also undertaking new research projects with a focus on urban ecology. Specifically, I am initiating research assessing the occurrence of rodenticide-resistant Norway rats along an urban-wildland gradient from eastern Long Island to New York City. I also plan on investigating the association between rats and domestic/feral cats along this same gradient with the goal of assessing the risk of the transmission of infectious diseases between rats, cats, and humans.

2003-2007

• Assistant Professor, University of South Florida, Department of Biology, Tampa, FL. Much of my research integrates behavioral ecology, evolution, molecular ecology, and population biology to address fundamental questions at the interface of vertebrate conservation and ecology. My current research projects include:

1. Examining genetic variation and movement of threatened Florida Burrowing Owls, 2) using microsatellite markers to assess the disruption of vicuña social structure during capture, 3) utilizing demographic and genetic data to estimate the effective population size of the guanaco in southern Chile, 4) utilizing microsatellite markers to assess the number of coyotes utilizing an urban-wildland gradient in Pinellas, County, Florida, 5) assessing behavior, population dynamics, and long-term viability of vicuñas subjected to economic exploitation in Bolivia.

2002 - 2003

• Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Interdisciplinary Studies Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.                                

2001 - 2002

• Visiting Professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

1997 - 2001

• Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity-National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD. The utilization of molecular markers in Camelids, Adviser Stephen O’Brien. I assessed phylogeographic patterns of genetic variation among populations of guanacos and vicuñas in South America, and established criteria for subspecies classification of the vicuña.  I also initiated collaborations to assess baseline levels of genetic variation of wild Bactrian camels in Mongolia.

1990 - 1997

• Doctoral Student, Iowa State University, Patagonia Wildlife Research Station, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Maternal expenditure and the resolution of adult-offspring conflict in the South American guanaco, Adviser William Franklin.

1987 - 1989

• Research Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Reno, NV. Ecology and population status of the Cui-ui in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, Supervisor G. Gary Scoppettone. My duties included capturing, marking, and releasing individuals, equipment maintenance, identification of aquatic invertebrates, and operation of remote underwater cameras.

1986 -1988

• Masters Student, University of Nevada, Reno, NV. Factors influencing prey selection in wild freeranging American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), Adviser Alan Gubanich.                      

1985 – 1986

• Research Technician, US Forest Service, Francis Marion National Forest, Monks Corner, SC.  Behavior and ecology of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Supervisor Robert Hooper.  I captured and banded juveniles and adults, quantified Woodpecker habitat use and diet, and investigated dispersal and group dynamics.

1985

• Research Assistant, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken SC.  Productivity of Wood Ducks using nest boxes on the Savannah River Plant, Supervisor, Richard Hoppe. My duties included the capture and marking of juvenile and adult ducks, as well as capturing and marking rat snakes that preyed upon duck eggs.

1984 - 1985

• Research Assistant, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken SC. Genetic variation of mosquito fish in thermally altered ponds, Supervisor Lyn Robbins. I captured and processed fish for genetic analysis using starch-gel electrophoresis.

1984

• Research Assistant, Rutgers University Marine Shellfish Research Laboratory, Cape May NJ.  Abundance of surf clams along the NJ coast, Supervisor Eric Wagner. I conducted population surveys of surf clams in order to set harvest limits for fishermen.

1982

• Research Assistant, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. Ecology and behavior of harbor seals, Supervisor John Calambokidis. I conducted behavioral observations and population censuses of harbor seals.