My
research is currently focused on two areas:
1. Molecular Ecology. In collaboration with
Jesus Maldonado of the Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics of the
National Zoo, I have sponsored students who use molecular techniques for both
species identification and population monitoring of River Otters, Coyotes, Red
Fox and Gray Fox. Students involved in
this research include: Melissa Roberts
and Mirian Jerep.
2. Long term monitoring of local forests. I have been monitoring growth, mortality and survivorship of tree populations at the Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge since 1995. Students who have worked on this project include Michael Pegler and Steve Paul.
I have also sponsored research projects by a variety of graduate students working on everything from reproductive physiology to cost of reproduction in spring wildflowers.
Dissertations and Theses Supervised
2000
MS Thesis. Wells, Stuart. Use of Factor Analysis Techniques to Identify Behaviors Associated with Estrus in Female Cheetahs.
Ph.D. Dissertation. Largen, Kim. The Effects of Aerially Applied Diflubenzuron On Decomposition Rate and Litter Arthropod Community in Prince William County, VA.
2001
M.S. Thesis. Locklin, Claudia, C. Impact of Three Human Settlements on the Area of Influence of the Madidi National Park in Bolivia.
2002
M.S. Thesis. Heath, Susan A. Wintering Waterfowl on the Northern Virginia Piedmont-An Unstudied Population.
2003
M.S. Thesis. DeLuca, William V. Multi-scale Factors Influencing Marsh Bird Communities of the Chesapeake Bay: Developing a Marsh Bird Community Index.
Ph.D. Dissertation. Brandhagen, Michael D. Monitoring of The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Using Molecular Analysis of Scat: A Noninvasive Technique and Its Potential Application to Otter Management and Conservation.
2004
M.S. Thesis. Jorgensen, Helene J. The Economics of Wolf Management: The Fortymile Wolf Control Program, Alaska, 1997-2001.
2005
Ph.D. Dissertation. Carson, Ellen. Composition, Population Dynamics, and Ecology of the Anuran Community at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Woodbridge, VA.
M.S. Thesis. Bernett, Carmen C. Factors Affecting Growth and Reproductive Output of Sangujinaria canadensis L.: A Cost of Reproduction Study.
M.S. Thesis. Kelly, Dan. Habitat Selection in Declining Elephant Populations of Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Myanmar (Burma).
M.S. Thesis. Roux, Karin. Presence and Impact of Environmental Lead in Passerine Birds.
M.S. Thesis. Robinson, Kristi J.K. Scat Identification and Dietary Trends of Coyote (Canis Latrans), Gray Fox (Urocyon Cinereoargenteus), and Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes), in a Mid-Atlantic Ecosystem.
M.S. Thesis. Peurach, Suzanne C. A Taxonomic Review Of Interfamilial Relationships of Microchiropteran Bats Based on Morphological and Molecular Phylogenetics.
2006
M.S. Thesis. Shaffer, Deborah. Study of The American Black Duck’s (Anas Rubripes) Use of the Northern Virginia Piedmont as a Winter Habitat.
M.S. Thesis. Paull, Stephen J. Basal Area Increment and Gap Dynamics Following Severe Gypsy Moth (Lymantria Dispar) Defoliation on Mason Neck, Virginia.
M.S. Thesis. Greene, Ana R. Behavioral Dominance Relationships of American Black Ducks (Anas Rubripes) and Mallards (Anas Platyrhynchos) Wintering on the Virginia Piedmont.
M.S. Thesis. Cherapy, Andrea. Population Trends and Habitat Selection of Northern Bobwhite Quail.
Ph.D. Dissertation. Tupper, Todd. Variables influencing vocalization and breeding effort in the Fowler’s toad, Bufo fowleri, in southern New England, USA
2007
M.S. Thesis. Draheim, Megan. Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Coyote? A Survey of Messaging and Existing Attitudes in the National Capital Region.
2008
M.S. Thesis. Wessel, Audrey. Short-term impacts of management on the early successional passerine community of Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Ph.D. Dissertation. Farabaugh, C.S. Assessment of Potential Relationships between Microclimate Variables Measured within a Forest Patch and the Presence of Interior Forest Birds.
Ph. D. Dissertation. Heath, Susan. Birds in Agricultural Areas: Reducing Presticide Risks to Birds Using a Risk Assessment Analysis.
Ph.D. Dissertation. Smith, Joseph. The Non-breeding Ecology of a Neotropical Migratory Songbird: The Influence of Habitat Quality on Spatial and Social Behavior and Consequences for Individual Performance
2009
M.S. Thesis. Peters, Ryan. Lyme Disease in Common Avian Species.
M.S. Thesis. Santymire, Robb. Investigating the Hormone Relaxin in the Urine of the Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) to Determine Pregnancy.
2010
M.S. Thesis.
Witt, Jonathan. Spatial and
Temporal Distribution of Odonata in a Hydrilla Dominated
Tidal Freshwater Stream: Using Tide And Habitat
Gradients to Identify Mechanisms of Coexistence in an Intraguild
Predation System
2011
Ph.D. Dissertation.
Bozarth, Christine A. Phylogeography and
Non-Invasive Monitoring of Coyote (Canis latrans) and Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in Northern Virginia
and the Eastern United States.
Ph.D. Dissertation.
Mickelberg, Jennifer. Understanding and Managing Isolation in a
Fragmented Population of Golden Lion Tamarins, Leontopithecus rosalia.
2012
M.S. Thesis.
Thomas, Mark. The Causes and Consequences
of Habitat Occupancy during the Non-Breeding Season for the Black and White
Warbler in Jamaica.
Ph.D. Dissertation.
Draheim, Megan M. Social Conflict and Human-Coyote Interactions
in Suburban Denver.