Resume

• 2010

  Sigma Xi

  Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology

  German

  English

  Science Technology and Research Scholar

  Indiana University Bloomington

  Grants in Aid of Research ($1000)

  Society of Comparative and Integrative Biology

  Gill Biomolecular Scholarship

  Full 4 year academic scholarship

  Indiana University Bloomington

  Graduate Research Fellowship

  National Science Foundation

  Mini Fellowship ($500)

  Animal Behavior Graduate Group

  Research Award ($2500)

  American Ornithologists' Union

  Grants in Aid of Research ($800)

  Sigma Xi

  Small Research Grant ($5000)

  University of Wyoming and the National Park Service

• 2009

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  Animal Physiology

  Ecology

  Immunology

  University of California

  Davis

• 2008

  American Ornithologists' Union

  NA

  Study Abroad Program (February-July 2008)

  Biology

  General

  The University of Western Australia

• 2005

  Bachelor of Science (BS)

  Graduated with Honors in Biology

  B.S.\nMinors in Chemistry

  Psychology

  and Certificate in Animal Behavior\nGill Biomolecular Research Scholar (full academic scholarship)

  Biology

  General

  Alpha Chi Sigma

  Indiana University Science Technology and Research Scholar (STARS program)

  Honors College

  Edward L. Hutton International Experience Grant

  Dean's List

  Indiana University Bloomington

• Immunology

  Biology

  Physiology

  Data Analysis

  Research

  Experimental Design

  Ornithology

  Statistical Data Analysis

  Grant Writing

  Teaching

  Animal Behavior

  Microscopy

  Ecology

  Science

  Field Work

  Low-amplitude songs produced by male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) differ when sung during intra- and inter-sexual interactions.

  Sara Schrock

  Rebecca Rice

  Dustin Reichard

  Behaviour

  The function and relative importance of low-amplitude (quiet) acoustic signals remains a poorly understood aspect of animal communication. Research in songbirds has predominantly focused on the role of low-amplitude songs as reliable predictors of attack and signals of aggressive intent. However

  many species of songbirds produce low-amplitude song in the presence of both male and female conspecifics

  suggesting a broader range of functions beyond aggressive behavior. Male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) produce two distinct types of low-amplitude song: (1) soft long-range song (LRS)

  which is a lower amplitude version of junco LRS

  and (2) short-range song (SRS)

  which is substantially more complex and structurally distinct from LRS. SRS is also sung at two distinct tempos (slow and fast) and has been observed in both male- and female- directed contexts. In this study

  we presented free-living male juncos with a caged male or female conspecific accompanied by playback of LRS

  a female precopulatory trill

  or slow SRS and quantified the songs elicited by each social condition. Males produced slow SRS only in response to a female conspecific paired with a precopulatory trill or slow SRS

  never to a male

  even when males were paired with slow SRS. Together these observations indicate that slow SRS is a female- directed song. In contrast

  males produced both LRS and soft LRS in the presence of conspecifics of both sexes

  which suggests that LRS may serve a similar function with respect to male and female receivers regardless of amplitude. These results highlight the importance of investigating the production of low-amplitude songs in both intra- and inter-sexual contexts and provide further evidence that in juncos

  slow SRS functions in courtship.

  Low-amplitude songs produced by male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) differ when sung during intra- and inter-sexual interactions.

  Kirk C. Klasing

  Thomas P. Hahn

  Photoperiod but not food restriction modulates innate immunity in an opportunistic breeder

  Loxia curvirostra

  Elizabeth

  Schultz

  Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

  Indiana University Bloomington

  Wittenberg University

  Ohio Wesleyan University

  The University of Western Australia

  National Science Foundation

  UC Davis

  Kenyon College

  National Science Foundation

  Simmons Lab

  Project title: Using a Phenoloxidase assay as an indicator of overall immune function in individual crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus).\n\n-Gained experience with Phenoloxidase assay

  handling and hemolymph sampling of crickets.

  Laboratory Technician

  The University of Western Australia

  Introduction to Biology: The Diversity of Life (BIS2C) (Fall 2010; Winter 2011

  Fall 2014

  Winter 2015). Independently led two laboratory sections of 24 students each. Prepared lessons

  led discussions

  and graded homework assignments.\n\nAnimal Behavior (NPB 102; Winter 2010). Held office hours where I answered student questions about the material. Graded homework and exams for 300 students.\n\nHormones & Behavior (NPB 152; Spring 2011): Held office hours where I answered student questions about the material. Graded homework and exams for 300 students.\n\nIntroduction to Biology: Principles in Ecology and Evolution (BIS2B) (Spring 2015). Independently led two laboratory sections of 24 students each. Prepared lessons

  led discussions

  and graded homework assignments.

  UC Davis

  PhD Candidate

  For my dissertation

  I studied inter and intra annual variation in investment patterns in survival (specifically immune function) and reproduction in a reproductively flexible species

  the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) in both wild and captive populations. My dissertation committee includes Drs Tom Hahn (advisor)

  John Wingfield

  and Kirk Klasing.\n\n-Experience with organizing and conducting field research in Grand Teton National Park in both summer and winter conditions.\n-Secured federal

  state

  and national park permits

  and IACUC protocols for research.\n-Experience with hemolysis-agglutination assay (measuring natural antibodies and complement levels).\n-Experience with measuring acute phase proteins in blood plasma (using commercially available haptoglobin kit).\n-Experience with microscopy; preparing

  staining

  and scoring blood smears for parasites and white blood cells.\n-Experience with RT-qPCR

  RNA

  cDNA isolation and purification techniques\n-Supervised and trained undergraduates in microscopy and field techniques.\n-Analyzed and interpreted data using Excel and R\n-Presented work to the public and academic audiences at national scientific meetings.

  UC Davis

  National Science Foundation

  Mountain Lake Biological Station

  VA

  Project title: Correlated behavioral traits: An investigation of the behavioral syndrome in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis).\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\n- Gained experience mist netting

  finding nests

  tracking breeding pairs

  behavioral observations

  and blood sampling.

  REU

  Delaware

  OH

  Organisms and their Environment BIOL122

  Fall 2015 (10 students)\n• Wrote and presented all lectures

  held two office hours/week

  organized weekly lab exercises\n\nIntroduction to Cell Biology BIOL120 (Lab Course)

  Spring 2016 (31 students)\n• Prepared intro lecture for each lab exercise

  graded homework and lab reports\n\n

  Instructor of Zoology

  Ohio Wesleyan University

  National Science Foundation

  Assistant Professor Of Biology

  Wittenberg University

  Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

  Gary

  Indiana

  Mist netted migratory birds at the Dunes National Lake Shore in Gary

  Indiana and utilized a 5 year dataset on the population dynamics of the white-throated sparrow.\n\n-Gained experience mist netting

  handling and processing birds

  managing and analyzing large data sets.

  Field Technician

  Ketterson Lab

  Project Title: Testosterone mediated traits across divergent species of the Dark-eyed Junco.\nField technician in Black Hills

  SD; May-August 2009\n-Gained experience finding nests

  tracking pairs

  blood sampling and GnRH injections

  and with behavioral observations in the field.\n\nProject Title: Colonization of a novel environment may influence innate immunity and intrasexual dominance behavior in the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis thurberi).\nSenior Thesis Project; August 2008- May 2009\n-Gained experience with experimental design

  behavioral observations of captive juncos

  data analysis

  science writing and presenting.\n\nProject Title: Nonbreeding intrasexual aggression and dominance in female dark-eyed juncos.\nUndergraduate Researcher; August 2005-May 2007\n-Gained experience with experimental design

  behavioral observations of captive juncos

  blood sampling

  science writing and presenting.

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Indiana University Bloomington

  Biology of Birds (L376): Assisted Associate Instructor in laboratory instruction

  leading and organizing field trips

  holding office hours

  and grading homework and exams for 20 undergraduate students.

  Indiana University Bloomington

  Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

  Kenyon College