BIOL 105: Biology for Health Sciences
BIOL 160: Introductory Seminar in Biology
BIOL 310/311: Human Structure & Function I and II
BIOL 322: Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 350: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 405: Histology
BIOL 410/411: Human Anatomy and Physiology for Science Majors
BIOL 460: Advanced Seminar in Biology
BIOL 481: Appalachian Herpetology
About
I am broadly interested in the functional, evolutionary and ecological anatomy of
vertebrate animals. I use a variety of techniques ranging from behavioral and kinematic
analyses, gross and micro-dissection and histology to approach multiple levels of
organization (from cells to whole organisms).
My research has specifically focused on the form and function of extensible soft tissues
in snakes and the prey that they ingest. Snakes must swallow prey whole, and many
of the major existing groups of snakes are capable of ingesting relatively large prey
(macrostomy). I am interested in the aspects of snake anatomy that make this phenomenon
possible, the ecological significance of it, and how it has evolved over time.
Students interested in conducting research in my lab, whether it is working on snake
behavior and anatomy or simply learning anatomical techniques to answer similar interesting
questions of their own, are encouraged to contact me.
In addition to anatomy research, I also have spent several years studying and teaching
biodiversity in the Appalachian Bioregion. Some of my research has involved conducting
herpetofaunal inventories and measuring amphibian and reptile population densities
at Radford University’s Selu Conservancy.
I designed a field course called Appalachian Herpetology that explores biodiversity
by comparing herpetofaunal diversity between different provinces of the Appalachian
Bioregion based on geography, forest structure and land use patterns.
Students doing independent research or course-based research walk away with knowledge
of natural history, species identification skills and field techniques.
