Revised June 8, 2009
CURRICULUM VITAE
GEOFFREY F. BIRCHARD
Office Address:
Department of Environmental Science and Policy MSN 5F2
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
U.S.A.
PHONE: 1-703-993-1065/1616/1050
FAX: 1-703-993-1066
EMAIL: gbirchar@gmu.edu
WEB Site: http://www.gmu.edu/~gbirchar/GFB/index.htm
EDUCATION:
B.A. 1975 (Biology) The Colorado College
M.A. 1979 (Zoology) University of Montana
Ph.D. 1985 (Physiology) Dartmouth College
THESES:
M.A. "Eggshell conductance and respiration during development in a burrowing and non-burrowing bird" (D.L. Kilgore, Jr., supervisor).
Ph.D. "Effect of increased hemoglobin oxygen affinity on oxygen transport and its control" (S.M. Tenney, supervisor).
OTHER TRAINING and SKILLS:
Course Work:
1975 -Northeastern University, Experimental Mammalian Physiology.
1976 -Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Developmental Biology.
1976 -Boston University Marine Program, Woods Hole, MA., Environmental Physiology of
Marine Animals.
1977 -Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, Experimental Invertebrate Zoology.
1980 -University of Colorado, Boulder, Graduate Research.
Career Development:
1986 -Workshop on Epidemiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
1989 -Workshop on Risk Assessment, Hazardous Material Research Control Institute,
Washington, D.C.
1990 - FAES training program: Recombinant DNA Technology: Methodologies and Applications, Bethesda MD.
1992 - FAES Course: Intercellular Communication.
1993 - FAES Course: Chaotic, Periodic and Oscillatory Behavior in Medicine and Biology.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Comparative developmental physiology.
Embryos of birds and reptiles are being examined. The particular emphases are: 1. how is sufficient oxygen exchange effected; and 2. how the gas exchange process may have influenced the evolution of live bearing in reptiles and mammals. Current work centers on chorioallantoic vascular density, intraspecific cost of development and factors which affect growth.
Cardiorespiratory function and control as it relates to adaptation and acclimation to hypoxic and
hypercapnic stress.
Adaptations of the oxygen transport system to deal with the respiratory stress of high altitude and fossorial environments are being studied. The role of increased hemoglobin oxygen affinity and blood volume are of particular interest. Current work centers on a comprehensive analysis of data derived from the literature.
Insect cardio-respiratory physiology.
The gas exchange process and its control are being examined. The role of diffusion in insect gas exchange is being studied in attempt to determine how this process may influence the control of gas exchange and the evolution of the insect respiratory system.
Conservation Biology of Tuatara.
This is a collaboration with colleagues at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. The emphasis of my work is on developing an understanding of the interaction of energetics of this species on different islands and how this may be related to reproduction
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (Division of Comparative Physiology)
Virginia Academy of Science
POSITIONS HELD:
Laboratory Technician, Arthur D. Little, Inc. Cambridge, MA. (1971-1975)
Teaching Assistant, University of Montana (1976-1978).
Professional Research Assistant, University of Colorado (1979).
Professional Research Assistant, University of Montana (1980).
Professional Research Assistant, University of Toledo (1980).
Laboratory Preparator, University of Toledo (1981), Freshman Biology Sequence.
Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts (1990).
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, George Mason University (1985 - 1991).
Visiting Researcher, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (1998-99)
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, George Mason University (1991-present)
Research Associate, Department of Conservation and Research, NZP, Smithsonian Institution (1999-present)
Program Officer, Directorate of Biological Sciences, IBN - Sensory Systems and Computational Neuroscience (2003-2004)
FELLOWSHIPS:
Teaching Assistant, University of Montana (1976-1978).
Research Assistant, University of Colorado (1979-1980).
NHLBI Training Grant, Dartmouth Medical School (1981-1985).
Albert J. Ryan Foundation (1983-1985).
GRANT SUPPORT:
Principal Investigator:
1986 University Research Grant, $1800
1988 NSF, ROA Small College Faculty in NSF Supported Research, $8,393 (with G. Packard).
1989-90 Jeffress Foundation $11,260. "Role of Diffusion in Insect Gas Exchange".
1989-90 J. Kostreba, University Graduate Research Assistantship.
1990 NSF, ROA Small College Faculty in NSF Supported Research, $8,240 (with W. Burrgren).
1994 Fenwick Fellowship $1,000
1997 Curriculum Development Grant $1850 (with J. Skog)
2000-03 Jeffress Foundation. “Physiological Effects of Prenatal Sensory Stimulation in Bobwhite Quail” (with M. Sleigh)
Associate:
1988 EPA, with F. Heliotis, $5,700.
1988 University Research Grant, with F. Heliotis $1,200.
1989-90L. Phillips (Ph.D. Student), Mott Foundation Ph.D. Fellowship $17,000.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS:
Snyder, G. K., C. P. Black and G. F. Birchard. Physiologic adaptation to hypoxia in the avian embryo: metabolic, respiratory and tissue. Satellite symposium 32nd fall meeting American Physiological Society, Comparative Physiology of Respiration. Columbus, Ohio, USA. October, l98l.
Black, C. P., G. F. Birchard, G. W. Schuett and V. D. Black. O2 transport in reptilian embryos. Satellite symposium 32nd fall meeting American Physiological Society, Comparative Physiology of Respiration. Columbus, Ohio, USA. October, l98l.
Birchard, G. F. High altitude adaptations in avian eggs. Department of Biology, University of Tulsa seminar series. October, l982.
Black, C. P., G. F. Birchard, G. W. Schuett and V. D. Black. Influence of incubation substrate water content on O2 uptake in embryos of the Burmese Python (Python molurus). Satellite symposium 29th meeting I.U.P.S. Respiration and Metabolism in Embryonic Vertebrates. Adelaide, Australia. September, l983.
Birchard, G. F. Response to isovolemic anemia in rats with increased Hb-O2 affinity. Departments of Physiology and Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. April, 1987.
Birchard, G. F. Physiological ecology of praying mantis egg cases. Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts. November, 1989.
Birchard, G. F. Physiological ecology of reptile eggs. Department of Research, National Zoological Park. Washington, D.C. December, 1989.
Birchard, G. F. Dragons, development time and dinosaurs. Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. October, 1994.
Birchard, G. F. Optimal hematocrit: Does it exist?. American Society of Zoologists. Symposium, Comparative aspects of control of arterial blood gases: ventilatory and cardiovascular perspectives. Washington, D.C., December, 1995.
Birchard, G. F. Dragons, dinosaurs, and development time. Department of Life Sciences, Arizona State University West. March 1998.
Birchard, G.F. Heart rate in developing reptiles: Effect of temperature and water and a public presentation Breeding Komodo Dragons. International symposium, Cardiac rhythms in animals: regulation, development, and environmental influences. Muroran, Japan. March 1998.
Birchard, G.F. Effect of temperature on developing reptiles. Department of Biology, Victoria University of Wellington. October 1999.
Birchard, G.F. Energetics of Incubation in Long Incubating Bird Eggs. IBN National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA May, 2003.
MEETINGS ATTENDED (last 5 years):
2004 - Gordon Research Conference, Metabolic Basis of Ecology, Bates College, Maine.
2006- American Physiological Society- Comparative Physiology (abstract)
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Reviewer:
National Science Foundation, Royal Society of New Zealand, Physiological Zoology, American Journal of Physiology, Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Experimental Zoology, American Zoologist, Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Zoology, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Zoo Biology, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Committee Work:
National:
Nominating Committee, American Society of Zoologists,
Division of Comparative Physiology.
University:
Medical Sciences Advisory Committee (1986-2007)
Faculty Senate Committee on the Library (Chair)
CAS Curriculum Committee
CAS Council (Secretary)
GRA Selection Committee (1993-1996)
Student Appeals Committee (1997-98)
Animal Subjects Review Board (1996-2005)
COS Curriculum Committee 2007-2009
Department:
Executive Committee MS in Environmental Science
Committee on Committees
Undergraduate Committee
Graduate Committee
Environmental Biology, Physiology Search Committee (2 yrs, one as Chair)
5 Year Planning Committee
Space Planning Committee
Long Range Planning Committee
Library Liaison
MS Program Coordinator 1993 - 1995
Curriculum Committee 1997-1999 (Chair 1998-99)
Coordinator, Post Bac Premed Program (2002-2006)
Seminar Coordinator (2001-2003)
Safety Liason (2005-2007)
Personal:
Fairfax County Science Fair Scientific Review Committee
Assistant-Fairfax Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Science Fair Judge
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Courses Taught: (9-11 h/semester)
Undergraduate:
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Animal Physiology
Mammalian Physiology
Environmental Physiology
Animal Biology
Analytical and Communication Skills for Biologists
Vertebrate Developmental Physiology
Biology Honors Seminar
Graduate:
Vertebrate Developmental Physiology
Comparative Physiology
Dinosaur Biology
Conservation Biology
Seminar-Water: Cells to Ecosystems
Seminar - Risk Assessment in Occupational and Environmental Health
Seminar - Introduction to Graduate studies
Supervised Laboratory Research:
Undergraduate:
M. Kang- Water loss in Giant Cockroaches
D. Nusbaumer - Cost of Pregnancy in a Small Precocial Rodent. (abstract).
J.R. Managbanag -Effect of changes in the rate of diffusion on critical PO2 in insects.
S. Patane - Effect of temperature on metabolism of Manduca (abstract)
R. Natoli - Effect of pregnancy on the metabolism of a live-bearing fish.
F. Raft - Effect of temperature on Hemolymph pH of Manduca (abstract).
R. Natoli - Effect of pregnancy on the metabolism of a live-bearing fish.
G. Koka - Effect of temperature on heart rate and metabolism in hatchling snapping turtles.
P. Hughes - O2 consumption in pregnant fish.
J. Summers - O2 consumption and heart rate as a function of size in the cockroach.
D. Childress - Breathing Patterns in Turtles
A. Arendse- Oxygen consumption and heart rate as a function of size in the cockroach (abstract and paper )
K. Baldwin- Effect size and leg amputation on running speed in the cockroach
Committee member Bachelor of Individualized Studies:
M. Harter "The pending landfill crisis in Fairfax county: community health issues and proposed solutions".
Supervised Research (nonthesis-no credit):
C. Reiber -Effect of temperature on oxygen consumption and acid-base balance in a land crab. (abstract presented, manuscript published).
S. Gotte -Metabolism and water vapor conductance in reptilian eggs.
R. Lewis -Oxygen consumption in fish.
J. Kostreba -Water loss in dormant land snails. (Abstract presented)
J. Streicher - Effect of size and temperature on metabolism in the giant hissing cockroach (abstract presented).
Graduate Students:
Ph.D. Students (Environmental Science and Public Policy):
L. J. Phillips (1990) Regional Assessment of Toxics in the United States.
J. C. Remmers (1995) The Relationship Between Dioxin Levels in Fish or Human Adipose Tissues and the Locations of Environmental Point Sources.
T. C. Wood (1996) Functionality of domestic cat oocytes matured, fertilized and cultured as embryos in vitro. (Co-director with D. Wildt, CRC).
C. J. Morrow (1997) Studies on the reproductive biology of the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah).
(Co-director with S. Monfort, CRC)
L. Graham (1998) Studies on the use of oral melatonin to control ovarian follicular activity in the domestic cat. (Co-director with J. Brown, CRC)
R. M. Santymire.(2006) Optimizing sperm cryopreservation methods for the conservation and management of the endangered black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes. (Co-director with J. Howard, CRC)
E.W. Freeman (2006) Investigation of behavioral and socio-environmental factors associated with reproductive acyclicity in african elephants.(Co-director with J. Brown, CRC)
B. Siriaroonrat (2006) Development of in vitro fertilization for the endangered eld’s deer (Cervus eldi thamin): effict of in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture on developmental competence. (Co-Director with B. Pukazhenthi)
Current Students : K. Morefeld
Ph.D. Committee Member:
L. Touart, S. Monfort, E. Odenkirchen, M. Bittner, T. Leuteritz, C. Beck, J. Wilgenbusch, W. Kiso
Masters Students:
J. Kostreba (1992) A Regional Assessment of Environmental Contamination: An Analysis of the National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program Data.
C. Eninger (2005) Effect of rearing temperature on development time, growth and thermal preference in Oncopeltus fasciatus, the milkweed bug.
Nonthesis: C.S. Vinson , R. Sacra, K. Brilakis, M. Syvret, W. Kirby, C. Nelson, H. Gedney
Current Students: R. Harley
Masters Committee Member:
A. Pease, N. Clough, J. Kiehn., J. Striecher