Biolum 2011-2013.pdf

Bioluminescence 15 (2013)

Bioluminescence Vol. 15 Fall 2011 through Spring 2013

Editors: Jim Bidlack and Anne Ewing http://biology.uco.edu/biopage/newsletter.htm

Full-time FacultyDr. Gloria Caddell (Chairperson)

Dr. Beth Allan (Science Education Advisor) Dr. Troy Baird

Dr. David Bass

Dr. James Bidlack

Dr. Robert Brennan

Dr. Christopher Butler

Dr. Gloria Caddell Dr. William Caire

Dr. Harold Cleveland

Dr. Janice Countaway Mr. James Creecy

Dr. Cari Deen

Dr. Anne Ewing (Assist.Chair / Health Professions Advisor) Dr. Allyson Fenwick

Dr. Michelle Haynie

Dr. Christina Hendrickson Mrs. Cheryl Hensch

Mr. Ralph Jones

Dr. Steven Karpowicz Dr. Chad King

Dr. Hari Kotturi Dr. Wayne Lord

Ms. Lynda Loucks

Ms. Linda Luna Ms. Sherry Meeks

Dr. Paul Olson

Dr. Clark Ovrebo (Graduate Coordinator) Dr. Rebecca Pace (SLL Manager)

Dr. Nikki Seagraves

Dr. Paul Stone Dr. Melville Vaughan (STEP@UCO Coordinator)

Part-time Faculty Ms. Andrea Curtis

Dr. Amy Davis

Ms. Shahang Derakhshan Ms. Tracy Fugate

Ms. Shelly Gulati

Dr. Terry Harrison Dr. Jenna Hellack

Mr. Kyle Holland

Mr. Andrew Morris Dr. Sheila Strawn

Dr. Mary Tappert

Dr. Janette Wallis

Staff Mr. Will Unsell (Lab Manager)

Ms. Sharon LaFave (Administrative Secretary)

Chairman’s Corner

It has been two years since the last Bioluminescence, so we

have a lot of catching up to do! As you will see from

browsing this issue, our faculty and students have been very

busy conducting research on lizard social behavior, aquatic

invertebrates of the West Indies, antibiotic resistance of

bacteria in Oklahoma streams, biofilms and chronic wound

pathogenesis, hybridization in hummingbirds, the flora of

the Gypsum Hills, distribution of cacti and dwarf palmettos,

melanism and biting propensity in red-eared sliders, use of thermal imaging to

estimate the size of bat populations, new species of fungi, arthropod relationships

with fungi, distribution of geckos on campus, bioremediation of chlordane in soils,

genetic variation in woodrats, phylogeography of mud turtles, myofibroblast

differentiation and contraction, etc. They have done field work across the United

States as well as in South and Central America. Students co-authored fifteen of the

publications listed, and co-authored many presentations at a variety of local,

regional, national, and international meetings. Faculty took students on study tours to

Belize, London, and Scotland, and attended teaching workshops on modern genomic

techniques and developmental biology. Students helped restore turtle habitat in New

Mexico, and participated in a variety of community service activities through Tri-

Beta and the Pre-Med Health Professions Club.

You will see several new names among the list of faculty! Dr. Steven Karpowicz

is in his second year at UCO; he is a biochemist and molecular biologist whose

research is on the genomics of green algae. And this year we welcomed several new

faculty members and staff. Dr. Allyson Fenwick is a geneticist and conservation

biologist who uses morphological and molecular evidence to test hypotheses about

the evolution of pitvipers. Dr. Chad King is a dendrochronologist who analyzes tree-

ring patterns to study forest history. Dr. Nikki Seagraves is a developmental

biologist who studies the mechanism of neural crest migration and differentiation in

mouse and chicken embryos. Our new Human Physiology Lab Coordinator is Dr.

Christina Hendrickson, a clinical lab scientist whose research has focused on gene

expression in Streptococcus, and congenital cytomegalovirus infection in newborns.

Dr. Rebecca Pace is an entomologist and the new Manager of the Selman Living

Lab, our research station in northwestern Oklahoma. She studies the behavior and

vector competence of flies.

We are now in the midst of writing our five-year self-study and undergoing

strategic planning to help ensure that we are preparing our students well for graduate

and professional schools, as well as careers in various areas of biology and science

education. As always, we would love to hear from our alumni! Send us a picture

and tell us where you are and what you are doing!

http://biology.uco.edu/biopage/newsletter.htm


Feature Story

UCO Biology Department Receives Donation from the Alexander Nick Estate

By Lynda Loucks, UCONHM Collections Manager

In July 2011, the UCO Biology Department received a taxidermy collection from the Alexander

Nick estate in Michigan. Approximately 130 shoulder and full body mounts were donated to the

University of Central Oklahoma Natural History Museum (UCONHM) and plans are being

implemented to display these impressive pieces in the college so they can be used for educational

purposes as well as aesthetic viewing by students, staff and visitors alike. The collection has been

inventoried and accessioned into the UCONHM and will be a great addition to our departmental

collections for future students and visitors to the department to enjoy. Special donated specimens

include a white rhino, polar bear, lions, cheetahs, and a bongo. Come visit our campus and check

out some of the full body mounts displayed in the Atrium of Howell Hall.

Biology Department Faculty and Staff Members prepare specimens for display in the Howell Hall Atrium.


The final display in the Atrium includes over 100 head mounts, along with lions, a camel, cheetahs, a

white rhino head, and a buffalo.


In addition to the exciting project Lynda Loucks led with the new Alexander Nick Collection, many outreach activities took place

with materials from the UCONHM.

Meet the Faculty and Staff In each edition of Bioluminescence, Faculty and Staff Members are selected to provide a story about themselves so you can

become more familiar with the UCO Biology Department. To learn about other Faculty and Staff Members, see previous

editions of Bioluminescence at http://biology.uco.edu/biopage/newsletter.htm

Dr. William Caire – Professor of Biology

I was asked to write a short profile to introduce myself to all of you. Well, here goes. Enjoy,

smile, frown, question, wonder, and then send a few bucks our way to help out at the Selman

Living Lab.

I was born in Savanna, Georgia well over a half century ago; the son of a tough Air Force Sgt. We

traveled most of my early years. I went to 11 different schools before I graduated from High

School. I was always involved with animals growing up. In fact, I was exploring caves and

catching bats in France when I was in the fourth grade. I recall crawling into a cave in France, and

seeing these odd pictures of prehistoric mammals drawn on the walls. I have always wondered if

they were eventually found, and turned out to be some of those famous prehistoric mammal

drawings or are they still there undiscovered. I loved sports and participated in golf and football.

In fact, my high school just inducted me and the rest of the 1963 football team into the Big Spring

High School Sports Hall of Fame, 50 years after we beat the #1 and #8 teams in the US.

I graduated from Howard County Junior College. There, my first college biology teacher

introduced me to collecting parasites from mammals. Later, when I co-authored a book on the

Mammals of Oklahoma, it brought back many memories and a smile when I ran across a paper she

had written on parasites of Oklahoma gophers. In 1969, I graduated from Texas Tech University

with a Zoology major and a Chemistry minor.

That was about the time of the Viet Nam war and I was almost drafted. However, by enlisting in the Navy and volunteering to

become an officer and a gentleman and a Navy Pilot, I avoided the draft. I reported to Pensacola, Florida and entered flight

school where I learned to fly a T28 and T34 (the acrobatics – loops spins, etc., were fun). President Nixon cut the service back in

1969, when the war began to wind down, and many of us were released from flight school. Back to Dallas, Texas I went but I

had difficulty finding a job. Finally, I accepted a teaching position, replacing a teacher in a junior high who could not finish out

the term because she was pregnant. I taught Mathematics and Earth Science. However, it did not take me long to realize that I

was not cut out to be a Junior High School Teacher and back to graduate school I ran.

Lynda Loucks and 4th graders at Chisholm

Elementary in Edmond, Oklahoma enjoy learning

about Oklahoma vertebrates. Lynda Loucks presents vertebrate specimens to 3rd

grade class at Centennial Elementary School.

http://biology.uco.edu/biopage/newsletter.htm


I graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton with a MS in Zoology. My thesis was on Geographic Variation of

Chromosomes and Morphology of Peromyscus maniculatus (a small mouse) in Oklahoma and Texas. Little did I realize the

significance of the thesis until it was published in Systematic Zoology, and I was surprised to see it referenced in a book on the

Genetics of Speciation and the Mammals of Texas.

I moved to Albuquerque and completed my PhD dissertation at the University of New Mexico in Mammalian Ecology. My

dissertation kept me in Sonora, Mexico for most of three years – The Distribution and Zoogeography of the Mammals of Sonora,

Mexico. Just a year or so ago it was condensed and I coauthored, with several Mexican mammalogists, a chapter in a book, The

Biodiversity of Sonora, Mexico.

I have been at UCO since 1976 and have had the distinct pleasure now of teaching some of the children of former students I

taught years ago when I first started here. I have taught Ecology, Animal Behavior, Natural History of the Vertebrates,

Zoogeography, Sociobiology, Biometrics, Mammalogy, and Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates. I always ask to teach a

section of the nonmajors General Biology class. It is a challenge. What a way to teach. Walking into a class of 50 students who

don’t want to be there and disturbing their minds just enough to maybe get many of them interested in the science around them. I

have even been over on the “dark side” of the UCO administration, serving as the Assistant Dean of the college for five years and

then as Dean for five years. When I accepted the position of Dean, I indicated it would be for only five years, because I enjoyed

working with students and I wanted finish off my tenure at UCO the way I began – working closely with students.

I have had nine graduate students and many undergraduate students, and with them I have thoroughly enjoyed doing research on

a variety of organisms including plants, birds, fish, bats, rats, insects, etc. I have coauthored (many with students) about 70

publications. It has been fun. I have enjoyed crawling in caves with them, doing bat and rat research, freezing in the snow, and

sweating under the western Oklahoma sun. The time has slipped by quickly.

I also spent about 15 or so years developing the Selman Living Lab in western Oklahoma. That is where I lost all my pride –

begging, borrowing and asking for money and items to make the lab come together on a shoestring budget. I did write several

National Science Foundation and other grants to get some of the funds legally.

So now you have a flavor of who I am and from whence I came. Soooooo, just send me a check for the Selman Living Lab or

build us a lab out there so many more can enjoy the wonders of nature in Oklahoma.

Sharon LaFave – Biology Department Secretary

I am a native Oklahoman and have been married for 30 years. My

husband and I live in Oklahoma City and we love to travel around

the state on weekends. We love old movies, science fiction movies

and antiques. I, in particular, love old cookbooks of which I have a

small collection (I think I am up to 350 now) and Joe has a

collection of antique hand tools and nutcrackers.

I graduated from Northwest Classen High School in May of 1982

and was one of a class of 350 students. My husband and I met in

the 9th grade in History class. We started going together in 11th

grade and a week after we had been dating, Joe had already

proposed and we were planning on getting married after we

finished High School. What most people don’t know is that Joe

comes from a Catholic background and I was raised as a Southern

Baptist. At that time, we went through pre-marital training with

Father Hanrahan and I will never forget the look on Father

Hanrahan’s face when he got the compatibility test results back from the OSU Testing Facility and discussed them with us –

OSU had to down score our results in order to give us both a grade for the test because we had too many of the same answers.

To give a little bit more history, I started as a student secretary in the Dean’s Office here in the College of Mathematics and

Science back in 1987. I will never forget my first experience in enrolling at Central State College and interviewing for the

student secretary position. I am an only child and I was the first one of my family to even go to college. I wore my best navy

blue business suit and high heels, only to stand in line for hours and hours and then go over to interview in the Dean’s Office. I

was very excited, I was going back to college to get my Bachelor’s degree and I had an on-campus job and I will never wear high

heels again!


I was in the Dean’s Office until 1998 when I left to take care of my mom. During that time, I worked part time here and there

until finally in 1999, right before the year 2000, I got a job at The Hertz Corporation, the computer center on N.W. Expressway,

and went to work as a secretary for the Y2K Office.

Here is what I remember – there were 8 Project Managers and 1 Lead Manager. I worked for one of the Project Managers in

charge of coordinating the four International Sectors of the Hertz Corporation. I took minutes four times a week every week for

Australia, Brazil, Europe (16 countries) and Puerto Rico. They were a fun group to work for, but some of the meetings could get

very interesting I must say. In addition, an interpreter had to be used for the call to Brazil because the Lead Manager over there

was named Roberto and he did not speak English very well. One other thing of note was that I gained a different perspective of

the people from the European countries and how they viewed our end of things, and there was definitely a communication gap at

times.

When the project ended, I was assigned the task of boxing up all the notebooks of minutes, etc. for the project and I wound up

cataloging 104 copy boxes worth of material during my time at the Hertz Corporation. (10 notebooks to a box which equates to

1,040 notebooks total – whew!!!!).

On July 2, 2001, I was employed by the Biology Department to be the secretary for Dr. Peggy Guthrie and the department. My

first day on the job, I asked Dr. Guthrie if I could rearrange the office and my desk area. She gave me carte blanche, and the rest,

as they say, is history. From day one, I have always enjoyed coming in to work, and I have never had a dull moment. As I will

tell anyone, I would be bored working anywhere else because you never know what is going to be around the next corner – it

could range from overhearing two faculty members discussing anatomical parts of certain animals to actually looking up one day

from my desk to find a student standing there with a dissection tray with a pig on it looking for a faculty member.

I am currently working for my 3rd Chair of the Department and again I feel I have been blessed. Each Chair brings their unique

work style and personality to the job and I have had the good fortune of being able to adapt and grow as each Chair does.

On the more interesting days, I have had on my desk a centipede, tarantulas, hissing cockroaches, birds (both alive and dead), and

a variety of other animals. My personal favorite was when Facilities Management brought over a hawk that had either flown into

a window or a car and had dazed itself. Dr. Hellack took it back to her office and perched it on top of her chair and that is where

it stayed until we took it to the Animal Shelter that afternoon.

And then there are the animals that live in the office on a regular basis. I will never forget when Dr. Hellack and Dr. Stone came

down to the office one day and Dr. Hellack casually asked me if I would mind having a live snake in the office. (Off the record,

my first thought was Why?, but Dr. Stone explained to me that Molly was a Boa Constrictor and had been born and bred in

captivity and hadn’t known anything else but her cage and was very calm). Once the cage was in place and set up and Molly was

in her new home, I quickly grew to accept her as part of the Biology Family. If anyone had told me years ago that not only

would I have a live snake in my office area but that I would actually come to accept and like Molly, I would have laughed at

them. But times change and I have changed and now I could not imagine the office without her. And yes, we still get the

occasional student running and screaming out into the hallway when they realize Molly is a real snake!

The Aquarium is a pet project of mine and again, the faculty indulge me and help me keep the tank stocked on occasion. We

have had Mollies, Tetras’ and at one point we even had Glow Fish with matching accessories!

I guess what I am trying to say without getting mushy is that the faculty have always included me in their projects, their

presentations, their students’ presentations and I have found a love for new knowledge that I didn’t know I possessed.

The faculty indulge my need to decorate for the Holidays! Whether we enter the Decorating Contest or not and whether we win

or not, the faculty let me transform the office into that Winter Wonderland known as Christmas! I love it when the faculty bring

their families up just to visit the office and see the decorations. I have had a lot of help over the years, student workers and

faculty. Anyone who wants to participate is always welcome!

I wouldn’t be who I am today without the experiences I have had for the past 26 years. I still love my job and don’t really

consider it a job - more of an everyday adventure with surprises around each corner. The Biology Department is my home away

from home; I would not change a minute of it. However, I would love to leave the record of most students that have fainted in

one week to a different department, any department, except this one!


Student Activities

Pre-Med Health Professions Club

Pre-Med/Health Professions Club (PMHPC) is a club

that provides assistance to any student that has a

desire to go into any health profession. During the

past year PMHPC conducted four different trips to

Ronald McDonald House with several of the

members. During these trips, the members cooked

delicious meals and were able to sit and converse with

the families of the children that are receiving

treatment through OU Children’s Hospital.

We were also able to partner with Golden Key Club to host a Children’s Center Bowl. At this event we set up an obstacle course

for the members of one of the local high schools’ football team and coaching staff. During this time some of the children from

the center had the opportunity to come out and cheer for the participants as they went navigated through the course.

PMHPC also has monthly meetings every first and third Tuesday of the month. Some of the great speakers include: Dr. Scott

Sigler, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Stephanie Husen, SFC Lindsay D. Dally, along with Danny Samkutty and Jeff Mani who are both med

students at the moment. Through these great speakers our members are able to learn many things about the health field and see

the many different career options that are available. We also provide our members with pizza and soda at each meeting.

There are also many different volunteering and

shadowing opportunities that the members

experience through many great organizations

such as Manos Juntas, OU Children’s, and OU

Presbyterian. At Manos Juntas the volunteers

have an opportunity to have hands on

experience with actual patients. They are

allowed to take blood pressure, height, weight,

and talk to patients about their previous medical

history as well as the symptoms they are

currently experiencing. It’s also a great opportunity to brush up on some foreign languages such as Spanish and Vietnamese.

There they also have the opportunity to shadow physicians that may be currently volunteering there.

Biology Club and Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society

The Tri-Beta Biology Club experienced a thrilling 2011-2012 school year – welcoming new members,

winning awards, volunteering, traveling across the state, and even overseas! The club was featured in

one of the university’s promotional videos, along with 2011-2012 President Kayla Greiner and Molly

the Snake.

During the Fall 2011 semester, President Philip Grider, Vice President Kayla Greiner, Secretary

Chandani (Cj) Ragha, Treasurer Erin Ralstin. Historian Jessica Price, and Senator Aradhana Rana, got

the club started by partnering with fellow national honor society, Sigma Alpha Lambda, in a national

food drive competition to benefit the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank. After several months of

collecting cans on campus and at local grocery stores, and hosting a movie night, Tri-Beta and Sigma

Alpha Lambda won first place in this national food drive competition. And while this great activity

was taking place, the Biology Club continued meetings throughout fall semester. General meetings

were held bi-weekly in the Atrium where speakers, including Central OK Humane Society, Oklahoma

Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Troy Baird, mammal curator of the Oklahoma City Zoo, and

Department of Environmental Quality, were welcomed. Game nights created an atmosphere for

members to get to know each other. Collaborating with Friends of the Library, Tri-Beta Biology Club

also hosted Dr. Robert Nairn and his “Tar Creek” Video Documentary and Presentation for the

campus.

Kayla Greiner and

Molly the Snake.


The Spring 2012 semester required a new line-up of officers as previous officers graduated. Kayla Greiner became President,

Jonna Whetsel was appointed as Vice President, and Eden Bernstein claimed the additional title of Sergeant-At-Arms.

Members were fortunate to help judge the Science Olympiad competitions, and the annual Valentine’s Day bake sale and Earth

Day plant sale were a success. Jordan White organized and supervised the greenhouse all semester, providing a vast and

beautiful array of plants on Earth Day. Several members attended the Oklahoma Academy of Science meetings, both Fall and

Spring semesters, at Sequoyah State Park, as well as the Tri-Beta Regional Conference at the Oklahoma Field Station in

Kingston, Oklahoma. We’re very excited and proud to announce that Jonna Whetsel was elected as the 2012-2013 South Central

President at the Regional Conference. A few weeks later, one of Tri-Beta Biology Club’s Advisors, Dr. James Bidlack, was

honored at the 2012 Campus Leadership Awards as UCO’s Campus Organization Advisor of the Year! Dr. Bidlack was

awarded a crystal trophy, making members and officers proud.

February 10th

, 2012 was a special evening for the club. In the

Howell Hall Atrium, the Psi Mu (UCO) Chapter of Tri-Beta

inducted 104 new members into the honor society! Being the

largest induction ceremony in the history of the chapter, it was an

enlivened event for new and old members, officers, and honored

guests. To round off the school year, Jonna Whetsel and Tyler

Downs traveled to Puerto Rico for the Tri-Beta National

Conference in May, presented research, and represented the Psi

Mu Chapter.

Elections for the 2012-2013 school year yielded an excited, new

group of officers: President Jonna Whetsel, Vice President Eden

Bernstein, Secretary Tyler Downs, Treasurer Kim Orear, Historian

Kayla Greiner, Senator James Green, Sergeant-At-Arms Tiffany

Hall, and Volunteer Coordinator Lindsay Stone. Advisors for

2012-2013 included Dr. James Bidlack, Professor Lynda Loucks,

and Professor Linda Luna.

The 2012-2013 school year turned out to be another success for the Psi Mu Chapter of Tri-Beta. Two induction ceremonies were

held welcoming over 90 new members, including the newest graduate member, Dr. Thomas Jourdan. Jonna Whetsel served as

not only Chapter President, but also as President of both Southcentral Regions of Tri-Beta. These two regions include the

chapters from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. At the regional convention in April 2013, the Psi Mu chapter was

nominated to host the next regional convention and accepted the honor.

2011-2012 Tri-Beta Biology Club Leaders including Eden Bernstein, Chandani (Cj) Ragha, Jonna Whetsel, Kayla

Greiner, Jessica Price, Aradhana Rana, and Philip Grider, along with Co-Sponsor, Dr. Jim Bidlack.

The 2012 Tri-Beta Induction Ceremony in the UCO

Howell Hall Atrium.


The Biology Club had a record-breaking year in fundraising through candle sales, bake sales, and plant sales. Money from these

fundraisers not only went to support the activities of the Tri-Beta Biology club, but also went towards charitable ventures. Some

of the funds were devoted to purchasing items for the club’s toy drive for the OU Children’s Hospital. The group was also able

to donate money to the Save the Manatee Club through calendar sales, and adopted a manatee named “Howie” who was chosen

through an online vote.

The Biology Club has formed a strong partnership with the Chemistry Club over the past year. The two clubs have come

together for many activities from tie-dye day to cookouts in the park. The clubs are continuing to plan their semesters together

to bring people from different areas of science together.

The 2013-2014 year looks to be quite busy for the biology club already! Jonna Whetsel is continuing as Co-President along with

James Green. The students are showing an incredible interest in activities and meetings. So far this year, the average attendance

for speaker meetings has been around forty students. The club looks forward to a year packed with events and volunteer

opportunities!

Faculty & Student News

Recent Intellectual Contributions

Allan, E. (2013). Revising Majors Biology. In: Exemplary Science Practices. NSTA Press. Washington, DC.

Veal, W., and E. Allan (2013). Understanding the 2012 NSTA Science Standards for Teacher Preparation: How Accreditation

and Standards are Here to Stay. Journal of Science Teacher Education. DOI:10.1007/s10972-013-9366-8.

Baird, T. A. (2013). Social life on the rocks: Behavioral diversity and sexual selection in Collared lizards. In: Reptiles in

Research: Investigations of Ecology, Physiology, and Behavior from Desert to the Sea. W. I. Lutterschmidt (ed.). Nova

Biomedical Press. Pp. 213-245.

Baird, T. A. (2013). Male collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris (Sauria: Crotaphytidae), signal females by broadcasting visual

displays. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 198, 636-646. DOI: 10.1111/bij.12003.

Baird, T. A. (2013). Lizards and other reptiles as model systems for the study of aggressive contest behaviour. In: Hardy, I. and

Briffa, M. (eds). Animal Contests. Cambridge University Press. Pp. 258-286.

Baird, T. A., T. D. Baird, and R. Shine. (2012). Aggressive transition between alternative male social tactics in a long-lived

Australian dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) living at high density. PLoS ONE. 7(8) e 41819.

*Telemeco, R. S., T. A. Baird, and R. Shine. (2011). Tail waving in a lizard (Bassiana duperreyi) functions to deflect attacks

rather than as a pursuit-deterrent signal. Animal Behaviour. 82, 369-375.

*Telemeco, R. S. and T. A. Baird. (2011). Capital energy drives production of multiple clutches whereas income energy fuels

growth in female collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris. Oikos. 120, 915-921.

Bass, D. (2012). The status of four aquatic crustaceans from Grand Cayman, West Indies. The Trinidad & Tobago Field

Naturalists' Club (2012), 77-78. www.ttfnc.org

*Bass, C. M., Bass, D. (2011). Aquatic invertebrate community structure in water-filled bracts of Heliconia caribaea

(Heliconiaceae) on Saba. The Trinidad & Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, 60-65. www.ttfnc.org.

Bidlack, J. E., and Jansky, S. H. (2014). Stern’s Introductory Plant Biology, Thirteenth Edition. New York: The McGraw-Hill

Companies.

Bidlack, J. E. (2014). Laboratory Manual for Stern’s Introductory Plant Biology, Thirteenth Edition. New York: The McGraw-

Hill Companies.

*Porter, M. A., and Bidlack, J. E. (2011). Morphology, biomass, and vessel diameter of pigeon pea subjected to water stress.

Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 42, 2334-2343.


Brennan, R., *Everman, S. (2012). Antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from a stream near two wastewater

treatment facilities in Edmond, Oklahoma. Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science, 2012(92), 59-64.

Butler, C. J., *Wheeler, E. A., Stabler, L. B. (2012). Distribution of the threatened lace hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus

reichenbachii) under various climate change scenarios. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 139, 46-55.

*Judd, E. R., Butler, C. J., Batchelder, N. (2011). Hybridization between Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri) and Ruby-

throated (A. colubris) hummingbirds in Oklahoma. Bulletin of the Oklahoma Ornithological Society, 44(3-4), 1-7.

Butler, C. J., Beagles, R., Stuart, T., *Stinedurf, J. N. (2011). Two unusual Yellow Rail records. Bulletin of the Oklahoma

Ornithological Society, 44(1-2), 5-8.

*Hites, R., Caddell, G. M., Stone, M. E., Stone, P. A. (2013). Relationships of body size and male melanism to biting

propensity in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta). Herpetological Review, 44(1), 46-49.

Caddell, G. M., *Rice, K. D. (2012). Vascular flora of Alabaster Caverns State Park, Cimarron Gypsum Hills, Woodward

County, Oklahoma. Oklahoma Native Plant Record, 12, 43-62.

Caire, W. (2013). Final Report: Use of thermal imaging to estimate bat population sizes at important Tadarida brasiliensis

maternity roosts in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Department Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma City, OK.

Caire, W., Loucks, L. (2013). The Greater Mastiff Bat Eumops perotis (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in Oklahoma. Southwestern

Naturalist, 58(1), 102-104.

Ewing, A. L., Kirkpatrick, L. (2012). In Carol Baffi-Dugan (Ed.), Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Admissions Guide (10th ed., pp. 322-323). Premedical Advisor's Reference Manual/NAAHP.

Ewing, A. L., Prado, L. (2012). In Carol Baffi-Dugan (Ed.), Texas Tech University College of Medicine Admissions Guide

(10th ed., pp. 254-255). Premedical Advisor's Reference Manual/NAAHP.

Ewing, A. L. (2012). Advising Pre-Occupational Therapy Students -- The Student Perspective. The Advisor, 32(4), 17-19.

Cajimat, M. N.B., Milazzo, M. L., Haynie, M. L., Hanson, J. D., Bradley, R. D., Fulhorst, C. F. (2011). Diversity and

phylogenetic relationships among the North American Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (Family Arenaviridae) (vol. 421, pp. 87-95).

Virology.

Ming, R., VanBuren, R., Liu, Y., Yang, M., Han, Y., Li, L.-T., Zhang, Q., Kim, M.-J., Schatz, M. C., Campbell, M., Li, J.,

Bowers, J. E., Tang, H., Lyons, E., Ferguson, A. A., Narzisi, G., Nelson, D. R., Blaby-Haas, C. E., Gschwend, A. R., Jiao, Y.,

Der, J. P., Zeng, F., Han, J., Min, X., Hudson, K. A., Singh, R., Grennan, A. K., Karpowicz, S., Watling, J. R., Ito, K., Robinson,

S. A., Hudson, M. E., Yu, Q., Mockler, T. C., Carroll, A., Zheng, Y., Sunkar, R., Jia, R., Chen, N., Arro, J., Man Wai, C.,

Spence, A., Han, Y., Xu, L., Zhang, J., Peery, R., Haus, M. J., Xiong, W., Walsh, J. A., Wu, J., Wang, M.-L., Zhu, Y. J., Paull, R.

E., Britt, A. B., Du, C., Downie, S. R., Schuler, M. A., Michael, T. P., Long, S. P., Ort, D. R., Somerville, C. R., Schopf, J.

William, Gang, D. R., Jiang, N., Yandell, M., dePamphilis, C. W., Merchant, S. S., Paterson, A. H., Buchanan, B. B., Li, S.,

Shen-Miller, J. (2013). Genome of the long-living Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.). Genome Biology, 14, R41.

genomebiology.com/2013/14/5/R41/abstract.

Cassar, J., Stuart, B., Dent, B., Notter, S., Forbes, S., O'Brien, C., Dadour, I. (2011). A study of adipocere in soil collected from

field leaching study. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 43(1), 3-11.

Dillane, S., Thompson, M., Meyer, J., Norquay, M., O'Brien, C. (2011). Inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission

spectroscopy (ICP-AES) as a method of species differentiation of bone fragments. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences,

43(4), 297-312.

Ovrebo, C. L., Lodge, D. J., Aime, M. C. (2011). A new Cantharocybe from Belize with notes on the type of Cantharocybe

gruberi. Mycologia, 103, 1102-1109.

Stabler, L. B., *Johnson, W. L., *Locey, K. J., Stone, P. A. (2012). A Comparison of Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus

turcicus) Populations in Two Temperate Zone Urban Habitats. Urban Ecosystems/Springer-Verlag, 15, 653-666.

Vaughan, M. B., Spencer, C. L., *Goddard, J. D., *Jose, J., Chen, W. R. (2012). Effect of near-infrared lasers on myofibroblast

differentiation and contraction (82240Fth ed., vol. 8224). Proc. SPIE. dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.907377


Khandaker, M. P., Vaughan, M. B., Li, Y., *Liu, P. (2011). Bioactive additives and functional monomers effect on PMMA bone

cement: mechanical and biocompatibility properties. (IMECE2011-64369 ed., vol. 2011). Proc. IMECE.

Nordquist, R. E., Bishop, S., *Ferguson, H., Vaughan, M. B., *Jose, J., **Kastl, K., Li, X., Liu, H., Chen, W. R. (2011).

Immunohistochemical analysis of immune response in breast cancer and melanoma patients after laser immunotherapy (790007th

ed., vol. 7900). Proc. SPIE. dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.874875

Recent Presentations

Allan, E and W Veal, National Science Education Leadership Association, “Developing Science Education Leadership for

Sustainability,” Professional Development Institute, San Antonio, Texas (April 10, 2013).

Allan, E, Conference of the National Science Teachers Association, “Exemplary Science Practices: Revising Majors Biology,”

San Antonio, Texas (April 13, 2013).

Allan, E, and M Jones, D2L Fusion Conference, “Using Learn@UCO (D2L) to Achieve the Flipped Classroom,” Boston,

Massachusetts (July 15, 2013).

Courson, S, J Shipman, J Day, R Carson, B Bailey, W Veal, and E Allan, International Conference of the Association of Science

Teacher Educators, “NSTA/NCATE Program Submission Training and Update on 2012 Pre-Service Science Teacher

Preparation Standards,” Charleston, South Carolina (January 11, 2013).

Simmons, P, J Smalls, H Schweingruber, V Massey, S Pruitt, S Kreikard, and E Allan, National Science Teachers Association

Annual Conference, National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, “NSTA/NSELA Issues Forum,” San Antonio,

Texas (April 13, 2013).

Tillotson, J, E Allan, B Tharp, C Brewton, D Hanuscin, R Swami, B Schaefsky, and M Glass, National Science Teachers

Association Annual Conference, National Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, “AoA Session: Walking the Talk-

How to Proceed with the Next Generation Science Standards, " San Antonio, Texas (April 13, 2013).

Baird, T A, and T D Baird, Oklahoma Research Day, “Social Life in an Australian Dragon's Lair: Alternative Male Tactics

and Extreme Takeovers,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Baird, T A, T D Baird, and R Shine, Southwestern Association of Naturalists Meeting, “Showing red: The role of ventral

coloration in social signaling in male Australian water dragons,” McNeese State University (April, 2013).

Baird, T A, T D Baird, and R Shine, 7th

World Congress of Herpetology, “Conditional male social tactics in an Australi dragon’s

lair: The roles of body size, territory takeover by aggression, and coloration signals in a high density population,” Vancouver,

British Columbia, Canada (July, 2012).

Baird, T A, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, “Conditional social tactics in an Australian dragon’s lair: The role

of size, territory acquisition by aggression, and color signaling,” Tahlequah, Oklahoma (April, 2012).

Baird, T A, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, “Social life in an Australian dragon’s lair: Alternative male

tactics, extreme takeovers, and the signaling role of color,” Stillwater, Oklahoma (February, 2012).

Baird, T A, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Iowa State University, “Social Life in an Australian dragon’s lair:

Alternative male tactics, extreme takeovers, and the signaling role of color,” Ames, Iowa (February, 2011).

Baird, T A, T D Baird, and R Shine, Oklahoma Research Day, “Conditional male social tactics in an Australian dragon’s lair:

The roles of body size, territory takeover by aggression, and coloration signals in a high density population,” Cameron

University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Baird, T A, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, “Finding synchrony in science and nature: Lessons learned from a master,

JBG. Festschrift to honor the scientific journey and life of Jeffrey Brent Graham,” La Jolla, California (2011).

Fox, S F, A Acevado, and T A Baird, 7th

World Congress of Herpetology, “Sexual selection in toddlers? Precocial sexual

signaling in hatchling collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris),” Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (July, 2012).


Hertzler, Jarrod, Baird, Troy, Oklahoma Research Day, “Influence of the Onset of First Egg Production on the Number of

Multiple Clutches in Female Collared Lizards,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

McGee, Abigail, Lunsford, Anthony, Baird, Troy, Oklahoma Research Day, “Responses to Femoral Gland Secretions in

Primarily Visually Signaling Collared Lizards” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*McGee, A and T A Baird, Southwestern Association of Naturalists Meeting, “Do femoral gland secretions function in social

communication in visually –oriented collared lizards?” McNeese State University (April, 2013).

*York, Joshua, Haynie, Michelle, Baird, Troy, Oklahoma Research Day, “The Kids are Doing Alright: Unexpected High

Fitness Payoff of Subordinate Social Tactics in Male Collared Lizards” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma

(March 8, 2013).

*York, J R, T A Baird and M L Haynie, Southwestern Association of Naturalists Meeting, “The kids are doing alright.

Unexpected high fitness payoff in subordinate male collared lizards,” McNeese State University (April, 2013).

*York, J R, T A Baird, and M L Haynie, 7th

World Congress of Herpetology, “Genetic determination of reproductive success in

male collared lizards displaying alternative social tactics: The fitness payoff of subordinate social tactics in male collared

lizards,” Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (July, 2012).

*York, J R, and T A Baird, 7th

World Congress of Herpetology, “Do tail displays in juvenile collared lizards function as pursuit-

deterrence signals?” Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (July, 2012).

*York, Josh R, Haynie, Michelle L, Baird, Troy A, Oklahoma Research Day, "On-going studies on multiple paternity in

collared lizards," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Barthell, John, Abramson, Charles, Wells, H., Hranitz, J.M., *Redd, J.R., Radke, William, Oklahoma Research Day,

“Globalization, Undergraduate Research, and Persistence to Graduate School,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,

Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Barthell, John, Chicas-Mosier, A.M., Hayes, C.A., Dinges, C.W., Wells, H., Hranitz, J.M., *Redd, J.R., Rivera-Vega, K.M.,

Williams, M.I., Petanidou, T., Oklahoma Research Day, “T.N. Brewster Plant Competition and Perturbation within an Aegean

Pollination System,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Barthell, John F, Hranitz, John M, Albritton-Ford, Aaron C, Barnett, Amanda, Butler, Maria E,; *Cowo, Carmen, Kurtz,

Richard M, Marisol L, Sanchez, Warren, Joshua J, Petanidou, Theodora Wells, Harrington, Oklahoma Research Day, “Pollinator

Competition Between Plant Species in an Aegean Island Ecosystem,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4,

2011).

Barthell, John, Wells, H., Hranitz, J.M., *Redd, J.R., Petanidou, T., Gonzalez, Victor, Oklahoma Research Day, “Pollinator

Type and Size Varies According to Nectar Standing Crop within American and Eurasian Island Ecosystems,” University of

Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Duell, Meghan E, Hranitz, John M, Apted, Talei, Hall, Nora, Cakmak, Ibrahim, Barthell, John F, Abramson, Charles I, Wells,

Harrington, Oklahoma Research Day, “Stress Responses by Anatolian Honey Bees to Pesticides in Turkish Apiaries,” Cameron


*Redd, JeAnna R, Barthell, John F, Lord, Wayne D, Oklahoma Research Day, “Foraging Strategies in the North American

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera): Forensic Applications and Analyses,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4,

2011).

*Redd, JeAnna, Prim, Alexa, Gonzalez, Alexia, Webb, Emily, Price, Jessica, Barthell, John, Vargas, Jordyn, Jordan, Michael,

Jourdan, Thomas, Lord, Wayne, Vallejos, Yoselin, Oklahoma Research Day, “Foraging Strategies in the North American Honey

Bee (Apis mellifera): Forensic Applications and Analyses” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8,

2013).

Simmons, Charlotte, Endicott, Beverly, Hughes, Charles, Wilson, Gregory, Barthell, John, Chen, Wei, Radke, William,

Oklahoma Research Day, “CURE-STEM: A Model for Encouraging and Sustaining a Culture of Student-Centered Research,”

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).


Bass, David, CURE-S-STEM Meeting, "Aquatic Invertebrates and Their Freshwater Habitats on Small Caribbean Islands.,"

University of Central Oklahoma. (November 19, 2012).

Bass, David, Environmental Issues Class, "Aquatic Invertebrates and Their Freshwater Habitats on Small Caribbean Islands.,"

Department of Geography & Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma. (September 28, 2012).

Bass, David, Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division (AAAS), "Aquatic Invertebrates and Their Freshwater Habitats on

Small Caribbean Islands.," American Association for the Advancement of Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK. (April 2012).

*Brown, Kambridge L., Bass, David, Oklahoma Research Day, "Macroinvertebrate Assemblages and Water Quality Analysis of

Spring Systems Associated with Pontotoc Ridge Nature Preserve," Northeastern State University - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

(November 2011).

*Brown, Kambridge, Bass, David, Oklahoma Research Day, “Macroinvertebrate Assemblages and Water Quality Analysis of

Spring Systems Associated with the Pontotoc Ridge Nature Preserve, Oklahoma,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,


Lewis, Laura, Green, Malinda, Bass, David, Rittner, Linda, Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association Annual Meeting,

"Universty Science Students' Perceptions of High School Teaching Methods and Their Own Abilities," New Mexico State

University, Las Cruces, New Mexico (November 3, 2012).

*Bernstein, Eden, *Graves, Anna, *Whetsel, Jonna, Bidlack, James E, Oklahoma Research Day, “Refined Description of a

Gene Locus in Escherichia coli Encoding for Bile Salt Resistance and Sensitivity,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,


*Bidlack, Jocelyn, Olson, Paul E, *Cowo, Carmen, *Ralstin, Erin, *Dinger, Robert, Bidlack, James E, OAS Annual Technical

Meeting, "Effect of Jasmonic Acid on Biomass Accumulation and Enzyme Activity in Switchgrass," SOSU, Durant, Oklahoma

(November 4, 2011).

*Bidlack, Jocelyn, Olson, Paul E, *Cowo, Carmen, *Ralston, Erin, *Dinger, Robert, Bidlack, James E, Oklahoma Research

Day, "Effect of Jasmonic Acid on Biomass Accumulation and Enzyme Activity in Switchgrass," Cameron University, Lawton,

Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Cowo, Carmen, Bidlack, Jim, Oklahoma Research Day, “Use of Algae to Remove Cadmium from Aquatic Environments,”


*Dinger, Robert, *Cowo, Carmen, *Bidlack, Jocelyn,* Ralstin, Erin, Bidlack, James E, Oklahoma Research Day, “Biomass and

Yield Components of Barley Subjected to Exogenous Application of Gibberellic and Jasmonic Acid Treatments,” Cameron


*Grider, Philip, Bidlack, James E, Oklahoma Research Day, “Bile Salt Sensitivity and Gene Transfer in Escherichia Coli,”

Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Johnson, Chelsie, Bidlack, Jim, Oklahoma Research Day, “Evaluation of Solvents used to Extract Chlorophyll for Photovoltaic

Cells,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*Johnson, Matthew, *Graves, Anna, **McDaniel, Dillon, *Porter, Hunter, *Whetsel, Jonna, *Naifeh, Matthew, Bidlack, James

E, Oklahoma Research Day, “Height and Biomass of a Barley - Soybean Rotation Subjected to Gibberellic and Jasmonic Acid

Treatments,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*Jones, Brett, Bidlack, James E, Oklahoma Research Day, “Durability of Dragons Blood Pigment in Dye-Sensitized

Photovoltaic Cells,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Jones, Brett, Bidlack, Jim, Oklahoma Research Day, “Continued Investigations on Use of Dragon’s Blood Pigment in

Photovoltaic Cells,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*Porter, Hunter, *Tetreault, Theodore, Bidlack, James E, Oklahoma Research Day, “Use of Chloroplasts and Anthocyanin in

Photovoltaic Cells,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).


Brennan, Robert, Coleman, Allison, Bragg, Amber, Yuill, Brendon, *Smith, Chelsea, Shackelford, Emily, Fleming, Jayci,

*Herwig, Jing, Proffer, Joseph, Cesar, Kalen, Amin, Khabbab, Braden, Mike, Drevets, Peter, Gorges, Quinn, Ramsey, Shey,

Smith,Veronica, Oklahoma Research Day, “Impact of Hand Washing Instructions on Hand Washing Practices at the University

of Central Oklahoma,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Brennan, Robert, Shang, Yuhang, Oklahoma Research Day, “Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus Aureus and Methicillin

Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in College Students,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Bowen, John, Brennan, Robert, Rosales, Kacy, Poulain, Daniel, *Marti, Dayton, *Bahreini, Ashkaan, Johnson, Jon, *Everman,

Steve, 2012 ACS Pentasectional Meeting, Cameron University, "Detection and Quantitation of Triclosan in Oklahoma Surface

Waters Using Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS)," American Chemical

Society, Cameron University, Lawton Oklahoma (March 17, 2012).

*Everman, Steven, Bowen, John, Brennan, Robert, Oklahoma Research Day, "Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Collected

Near a Waste Water Treatment Facility," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Gilcrest, Kylie, Caire, William, Creecy, James, Brennan, Robert, Oklahoma Research Day, “Survey of Geomyces Destructans

in Oklahoma,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Ochoa, Brennan, Brennan, Robert, Oklahoma Research Day, “Selectivity of Various Salt Concentrations for Staphylococcus

Aureus,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Pugh, Nicholas, Caire, William, Brennan, Robert, Oklahoma Research Day, "Detection of Geomyces destructans Antibodies

in Oklahoma Bats," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Shang, Yuhang, Brennan, Robert, Oklahoma Research Day, "Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in college students," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Tankersley, Amy, Frank, Bart, Brennan, Robert, American Society for Microbiology 112th General Meeting, "Staphylococcus

aureus Biofilms and Chronic Wound Pathogenesis," ASM, San Francisco, California (June 18, 2012).

*Tankersley, Amy Nichole, Brennan, Robert, Frank, Bart, Oklahoma Research Day, “Staphlococcus aureus Biofilms and

Chronic Wound Pathogenesis,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Becker, Erica Catherine, Butler, Chris, Nguyen, Son, Oklahoma Research Day, “Using Geolocators to Determine Migratory

Patterns of Yellow Rails (Coturnicops noveboracensis),” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Andoe, Bridget Ellen, Hucks, Katrina Diane, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Distribution of Six Species of Palms

Under Multiple Climate Change Scenarios,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Butler, Christopher J, Oklahoma Research Day, “Migratory Connectivity in Yellow Rails and Le Conte’s Sparrows,”


Butler, Christopher J, *Judd, E.,* Judd, E., AFO/COS/WOS meeting, "Ecological niche modeling as a method for mapping

distribution of hummingbird hybrids," Kearney, Nebraska (2011).

Butler, Christopher J, Nguyen, S., *Hucks, K., *Becker, E., AFO/COS/WOS meeting, "The effects of temperature, light, and

sugar concentration on hummingbird feeder solutions," Kearney, Nebraska (2011).

Hibdon, Holly Renee, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Wintering Black Rails,” Cameron University, Lawton,


Hucks, Katrina Diane, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Similarity of Prey Mass in barn Owl Pellets Collected in

Oklahoma,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Hucks, Katrina, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Determining the breeding grounds of Henslow’s Sparrows using

stable isotope analysis,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Jones, Lindsay, Butler, Chris, Whalen, Daniel, Oklahoma Research Day, “Modeling the Hybrid Zone for Black-chinned and

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).


*Judd, Erica R, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Ecological Niche Modeling as a Method for Mapping Distribution of

Hummingbird Hybrids,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Montes, Carlos Eduardo, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Mapping the Current Distribution of Wintering Yellow

Rails,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011 ).

*Stine, Emily, Lord, Wayne D, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “The use of Ecological Niche Modeling of the

Emerging Infectious Parasite, Angiostrongylus Cantonensis,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Temple, Britney, Butler, Chris, Oklahoma Research Day, “Mapping the Winter Distribution of the Eastern Whip-poor-will,”


*Tibbits, Jeffrey, Brower, Charles, Butler, Chris, Kelly, Jeffrey, Wilson, Jennifer, Oklahoma Reasearch Day, “Deuterium Stable

Isotope Analysis on Wintering Black Rails of Texas,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Wheeler, Eric Clinton, Stabler, Brooke, Butler, Chris, Caddell, Gloria, Oklahoma Research Day, “Production and Comparison

of Three Habitat Suitability Maps for the Imperiled Cactus Echinocereus Reichenbachii” Cameron University, Lawton,


Caddell, Gloria M, *Rice, Kristi, *Gurley, Jami, Strawn, Sheila A, Caire, William, 86th Annual Meeting, "Gypsum outcrop

communities of northwestern Oklahoma: islands of native biodiversity," AAAS-SWARM, Tulsa, Oklahoma. (April 3, 2012).

*Gurley, Jami, Caddell, Gloria M, Strawn, Sheila A, Caire, William, Oklahoma Research Day, "Effects of grazing history on

morphological composition of biological crusts on gypsum outcrops, northwestern Oklahoma," Cameron University, Lawton,

Oklahoma. (November 4, 2011).

Watkins, Brad, Caddell, Gloria M, **Roark, Ryan, *Lathrop, Kelsey, **Dattilo, Weston, Oklahoma Research Day,

"Presettlement Occurrence and Current Distribution of Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) at the Selman Living Lab in

Northwestern Oklahoma," OSRHE, OKEPSCOR, OCAST, OK-INBRE, RUSO, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Watkins, Brad, Caddell, Gloria M, **Dattilo, Weston, **Roark, Ryan, *Lathrop, Kelsey, Applied Geography Conference,

"Landscape-Level Mapping of Eastern Redcedar Encroachment at the Selman Living Laboratory in Western Oklahoma,"

Applied Geography Specialty Group, Redlands, California (October 20, 2011).

Caire, W. Identification of Western Oklahoma Bats. Oklahoma Department Wildlife Conservation Bat Coordinating Team

training workshop for state wildlife biologists and Oklahoma Department of Tourism, State Park personnel. Selman Living Lab.

(2013).

Caire, W. Use of mammals and ideas about teaching the scientific method in secondary schools. Mercy School, Oklahoma City.

(2013)

Caire, W. The Selman Living Lab. Tulsa Astronomy Club. Tulsa, Oklahoma (2012).

Caire, W. History of the Selman Living Lab. Oklahoma Native Plant Society. (2012).

Caire, W. What Do We Know About White-Nose Syndrome in Bats in Oklahoma? Oklahoma Academy of Science Spring Field

Meeting. Lake McMurray, Oklahoma (2011).

Fox, S., Caire, William, O’Brien, Christopher, and Caddell, Gloria, Oklahoma Research Day, “Development of Elephant

Identification Techniques: Characteristics of Footprints,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011)

Ganow, K., W Caire, R S. Matlack. Population Size Estimations of the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, At

Important Maternity Roosts in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Research Day (November 4, 2011).

O'Bannon, Elizabeth, Creecy, James, Lord, Wayne D, Oklahoma Research Day, “Quantitation of Insect DNA: Forensic

Implications,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Ewing, Anne L, Guiding Our Students Through The Challenging Waters of Health Care Education -- 20th National Meeting,

"Moderator, Assessment of Student Need," NAAHP, Baltimore, Maryland (June 21, 2012).


Ewing, Anne L, Summer Premedical Academy, "How to Prepare for the Medical School Application Process," OU Medical

School, OUHSC. (June 30, 2011).

Ewing, Anne L, In Tune with the Health Professions in Changing Times, "Moderator: Music Therapy as a Career," SAAHP,

Nashville, Tennessee (April 8, 2011).

Nelson, Mike, Maddy, Mark, Madden, Rythm, Ewing, Anne L, Annual National Learning Communities Consortium

Conference, "Hanging by a thread: Sustaining a biomedical freshman learning community," NLCC, Chicago, Illinois (2011).

Nelson, Mike, Mark, Maddy, Rythm, Madden, Ewing, Anne L, Oklahoma Research Day, "Hanging by a Thread: Sustaining a

Biomedical FLC," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Nelson, Mike, Mark, Maddy, Rythm, Madden, Ewing, Anne L, 16th Annual National Learning Communities Conference,

"Hanging by a Thread: Sustaining a Biomedical FLC," Chicago, Illinois (November 3, 2011).

*Eisemann, Amanda H, Mendez-Harclerode, Francisca M, Bradley, Robert D, Fulhorst, Charles F, Haynie, Michelle L, Texas

Society of Mammalogists Annual Meeting, "Population structure and genetic variation in Neotoma albigula from Arizona as

determined using multilocus microsatellite genotypes," Texas Society of Mammalogists, Junction, Texas (February 18, 2012).

*Eisemann, Amanda H, Mendez-Harclerode, Francisca M, Bradley, Robert D, Fulhorst, Charles F, Haynie, Michelle L,

Oklahoma Research Da, "Genetic variation at seven microsatellite loci in Neotoma albigula (white-throated woodrat) from

Arizona," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Haynie, Michelle, Mauldin, Matthew, Bradley, Robert, Oklahoma Research Day, “Molecular evidence for hybridization

between Neotoma floridana and Neotoma micropus in multiple areas of sympatry,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,


*Hoss, Sarah G, Haynie, Michelle L, Oklahoma Research Day, "Genetic variation at Major Histocompatibility Complex (Mhc)

loci in Neotoma albigula: potential clues to coevolution with Arenaviruses," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November

4, 2011).

*Hoss, Sarah G, Haynie, Michelle L, Texas Society of Mammalogists Annual Meeting, "Characterization of two Mhc class II

loci in Neotoma albigula: Optimization of SSCP analysis using capillary electrophoresis," Texas Society of Mammalogists,

Junction, Texas (February 18, 2012).

*Ramsey, Shey R, Mendez-Harclerode, Francisca M, Bradley, Robert D, Fulhorst, Charles F, Haynie, Michelle L, Oklahoma

Research Day, "Mitochondrial d-loop sequence variation among Neotoma albigula (white-throated woodrat) from Arizona,"

Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Ramsey, Shey R, Mendez-Harclerode, Francisca M, Bradley, Robert D, Fulhorst, Charles F, Haynie, Michelle L, Texas Society

of Mammalogists Annual Meeting, "Genetic variation and phylogeography of Neotoma albigula in Arizona, assessed using

mitochondrial D-loop sequences," Texas Society of Mammalogists, Junction, Texas (February 18, 2012).

*Rowell, Ethan B, Mauldin, Matt R, Bradley, Robert D, Haynie, Michelle L, Oklahoma Research Day, "Genetic evaluation of a

Neotoma micropus/Neotoma floridana hybrid zone," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Peno, Samantha S, Stone, Paul A, Haynie, Michelle L, *Locey, Ken, *Stanila, Brian, Oklahoma Research Day,

"Phylogeography of Sonoran Mud Turtles in a fragmented landscape," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4,

2011).

*Peno, Samantha S, Webster, Brianna, Stone, Paul A, Haynie, Michelle L, *Locey, Ken, *Stanila, Brian, OK-LSAMP

17thAnnual Research Symposium, "Phylogeography of Sonoran Mud Turtles in a fragmented landscape," Oklahoma State

University, Stillwater, Oklahoma (October 1, 2011).

*Kwak, Sukyoung, Karpowicz, Steven, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Two Proteins May Protect Red Algal Photosynthesis

From High Light Damage," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Asim, Ali Nguyen, Houchen, Courtney, Kotturi, Hari, Ali, Naushad, Oklahoma Research Day, “Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus

(HCV) Replication and Cancer Stem Cell-Like Cell Markers by Resveratrol Charles,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,



Aslam Sahi, Ayesha, Lee, Hui Hui, Kotturi, Hari, Houchen, Courtney, Ali, Naushad, Oklahoma Research Day, “Effects of Plant

Products on Hepatitis C Virus-Expressing Hepatoma Cells,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Nguyen, Charles, Chandrakesan, Parthasarathay, Ahmed, Ishfaq, Umar, Shahid, Kotturi, Hari, Oklahoma Research Day, “Novel

Effect of Bitter Melon Fruit Extract on Amelioration of Colitis in Mice,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4,

2011).

Nguyen, Charles, Kotturi, Hari, Oklahoma Research Day, “Generation of Doxorubicin Resistant Colorectal Carcinoma Cell

Line,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Bliss, Kristen, Stone, Paul, Lord, Wayne, Oklahoma Research Day, “Parasite Survey of the Sonoran Mud Turtle (Kinosternon

sonoriense),” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Koenigs, Craig, Lord, Wayne D, Oklahoma Research Day, “DNA Barcoding and its Applications in Parasitic Lungworms

(Metastrongyloidea) in Marine Mammals,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Groth, Anja, O'Brien, Christopher, Loucks, Lynda, Oklahoma Research Day, “Preparation of Skeletal Material for

Instructional and Display Purposes,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Loucks, Lynda M, Cameron University Biology Club, "The importance of Natural History Collections," Cameron University,

Lawton, Oklahoma (April 2013).

Loucks, Lynda M, Wildlife Forensics Course, "The importance of Natural History Collections," Forensics, Edmond, OK, UCO

(April 2013).

Loucks, Lynda M, Mustang Library, “Animals of the Underground” (June 2013).

Loucks, Lynda M, Yukon Library, “Underground and Cavernous Animals” (July 2013).

Meeks, Sherry L, Health and Wellness Class, "Suicide Prevention," UCO, Edmond, Oklahoma (2012).

Meeks, Sherry L, City of Edmond, "MRSA," Edmond Fire Department, Edmond, Oklahoma (2011).

Meeks, Sherry L, Metro Health Association Meeting, "Introduction to the MLT Program," Metro Health Care Association,

Oklahoma City (2011).

Meeks, Sherry L, Oklahoma Science Teachers Association, "Microbiology for Public Schools" (2011).

Meeks, Sherry L, Oklahoma Science Teachers Association, "Oswego: An Outbreak of Gastrointestinal Illness Following a

Church Supper," OSTA (2011).

*King, Kama, R. Christopher, O'Brien, Oklahoma Research Day, “Relocation of Remains: Scavenger Scatter Patterns in North

Central Oklahoma, Preliminary Findings,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

O'Brien, Chris, Annual Meeting of the Forensic Science Society, "Wildlife Forensics: A Holistic Approach," UOIT, Oshawa

(2011).

*Bidlack, Jocelyn, *Green, James, *Osburn, Felicia, *Webster, BrieAnna, Olson, Paul E, OAS Annual Technical Meeting,

"Bioremediation of Chlordane by Indigenous Actinomycetes Bacteria," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma

(November 9, 2012).

Ovrebo, Clark L, Department of Biology Seminar, "Exploring for fungi on Barro Colorado Island, Panama," Department of

Biology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas (October 2011).

Ovrebo, Clark L, College of Mathematics and Science monthly seminar, "College of Mathematics and Science Students

Volunteer in Peru," College of Mathematics and Science, UCO, Howell Hall, UCO (September 2011).

Ovrebo, Clark L, Oklahoma Academy of Science Spring Field Meeting, "Introduction to the natural history of the Pantanal and

Amazon regions.," Oklahoma Academy of Science, Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma. (April 2011).


Ovrebo Clark L, Derakhshan, Shahang, Lord, Wayne D, Oklahoma Research Day,“Using Commericial Mushrooms as Baits

to Attract Insects and Other Invertebrates,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Rosales, K., Ovrebo, Clark L., Bowen, J. 68th Southwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society. "Analysis of

Oklahoma mushroom fruiting-body odors using GCMS and solid phase micro extraction,” American Chemical Society, Baton

Rouge, Louisiana (November 4-7, 2012).

Radke, William J, Cooey, Crissa, Dorr, Brian, Anderson, Jim, Hillar, Klandorf, Turk, Phil, Blemings, Ken, Merovich, George,

Oklahoma Research Day, “Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Population Demographic Parameters on Lake

Michigan Managed and Unmanaged Islands,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Dinger, April, Dinger, Robert, Stabler, Brooke, Oklahoma Research Day, “Surface Temperature Variation on Buildings

Occupied by Mediterranean Geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus) at the University of Central Oklahoma,” Cameron University,

Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Dinger, Robert, Dinger, April, Stabler, Brooke, Oklahoma Research Day, “Light Intensity as a Microhabitat Characteristic for

Hemidactylus turcicus,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Stabler, Brooke, Oklahoma Research Day, “Microhabitat Characteristics of Mediterranean Geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus) at

the University of Central Oklahoma Campus,” Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Massengill, Jeremy, Stone, Paul, Oklahoma Research Day, “The Effect of Habitat Area on Species Richness: Aquatic

Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in the Peloncillo Mountains” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8,

2013).

*Smith, Chelsea, Stone, Paul, Oklahoma Research Day, “Conservation Triage and Sonoran Mud Turtles in the Peloncillo

Mountains of New Mexico,” University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

Stone, Paul, *Smith, Chelsea, Oklahoma Research Day, “Quality Control of Undergraduate Researchers: A Cautionary Tale,”


*Barua, Prognanwita, *Lam, Christina C, Vaughan, Melville B, Experimental Biology 2012, "Tissue tension supports the in

vitro co-culture of ras-keratinocytes and myofibroblasts," FASEB, San Diego, California (April 24, 2012).

*Barua, Prognanwita, Vaughan, Melville B, Research Day at the Capitol, "Characterizing a skin cancer-wound healing

experimental model," EPSCoR, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (March 15, 2012).

*Barua, Prognanwita, Vaughan, Melville B, Summer Undergraduate Research Program, "Tissue Tension Supports the In Vitro

Growth of Ras Keratinocytes," OUHSC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (July 22, 2011).

*Barua, Prognanwita, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Tissue tension supports the in vitro co-culture of

ras-keratinocytes and myofibroblasts," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Blunck, Devin, Vaughan, Melville B, Summer Undergraduate Research Program, "Fibroblasts inhibit Ker-CT-Ras invasion in

DED," OUHSC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (July 19, 2012).

*Chigwedere, Mellisa, *Odejimi, Tobi D, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Effect of Transforming

Growth Factor Beta Concentration Gradient on Myofibroblast Differentiation," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,


**George, Lanice W, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "TGF-beta increases tension generation in Ker-CT-

Ras cells," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Goddard, Jessica D, *Jose, Jessnie, **Spencer, Chelsea L, Vaughan, Melville B, Chen, Wei R, Oklahoma Research Day 2011,

"The biological effects of cells exposed to laser irradiation," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Herwig, Jing X., Vaughan, Melville B, Sigma Xi SW Regional Research Conference, "The effect of n-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

on cell proliferation in the stress-relaxed collagen lattice model," Sigma Xi, University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas

(January 12, 2013).


*Herwig, Jing X, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "The Further Study of n-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) Effects

on Cell Proliferation and Phenotype," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*Hughes, Lindsay N, *Lam, Christina C, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Role of in vitro environment on

metastasis of pre-cancerous keratinocytes," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Meek, Bill D, Vaughan, Melville B, Edgar, Natalie, Experimental Biology 2013, "The effect of tension on the growth of

keratinocytes in a skin equivalent culture model," FASEB, Boston, Massachusetts (April 22, 2013).

*Noon, Miriam C, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Transforming growth factor beta decreases pool of

proliferative myofibroblasts," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Odejimi, Tobi D, *Roberts, Dylan T, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Identifying proliferative vs. non-

proliferative myofibroblasts with ethynyldeoxyuridine," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

*Odejimi, Tobi D, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Identification of Proliferative Myofibroblasts of

Dupuytren's Contracture Cells," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*Odejimi, Tobi D, *Hamilton, Julie, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Proliferation of Myofibroblasts

using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

*Odejimi, Tobi D, *Roberts, Dylan T, Vaughan, Melville B, Tri-Beta Regional Meeting, "Identifying proliferative vs. non-

proliferative myofibroblasts with ethynyldeoxyuridine," Tri-Beta, Oklahoma Biological Station at Lake Texoma, Oklahoma

(March 31, 2012).

*Sawalha, Dima, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "The Effect of Telomerase on Dupuytren's Disease

Myofibroblasts Migration and Differentiation," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

**Secondi, Attika N, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Antioxidant Inhibition of Keratinocyte Invasion of

a Synthetic Dermis," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

**Spencer, Chelsea L, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Inhibiting Dupuytren’s disease myofibroblasts

with a green tea extract antioxidant," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

**Spencer, Chelsea L, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Tensional Homeostasis in an In Vitro Wound

Healing Model," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma (March 8, 2013).

**Spencer, Chelsea L, Vaughan, Melville B, OK-LSAMP 18th Annual Research Symposium, "Tensional Homeostasis in an In

vitro Wound Healing Model," OK-LSAMP, Stillwater, Oklahoma (October 6, 2012).

**Spencer, Chelsea L, Vaughan, Melville B, AAAS/SWARM Annual Meeting, "Inhibiting Dupuytren’s Disease Myofibroblasts

with a Green Tea Extract Antioxidant," AAAS/SWARM, Tulsa, Oklahoma (March 31, 2012).

**Stefano, Tarantini, *Liu, Ping , Vaughan, Melville B, Khandaker, Morshed P, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Bioactive

additives and functional monomers effect on PMMA bone cement: mechanical and biocompatibility properties," Cameron


Vaughan, Melville B, *Acquaviva, Joseph R, *Goddard, Jessica D, *Jose, Jessnie, **Spencer, Chelsea L, Chen, Wei R,

Photonics West BIOS Conference 8582, "Biological effects of near-infrared lasers on myofibroblast cellular differentiation and

contraction," SPIE, San Francisco, California (February 4, 2013).

Vaughan, Melville B, **Spencer, Chelsea L, *Goddard, Jessica D, *Jose, Jessnie, Chen, Wei R, Photonics West 2012, "Effect of

near-infrared lasers on myofibroblast differentiation and contraction," SPIE, San Francisco, California (January 23, 2012).

Vaughan, Melville B, **Spencer, Chelsea L, Sigma Xi SW Regional Research Conference, "Dynamics of Tension Generation in

the Stress-Relaxed Collagen Matrix," Sigma Xi, University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas (January 12, 2013).

Vaughan, Melville B, *Odejimi, Tobi D, *Thomas, Jaime E, Experimental Biology 2012, "Using the Click-It assay to identify

the proliferative myofibroblast," FASEB, San Diego, California (April 22, 2012).


Vaughan, Melville B, *Scolaro, Hayden, Tomasek, James J, Wound Healing Society Annual Meeting, "Transforming growth

factor beta decreases pool of proliferative myofibroblasts," WHS/SAWC, Atlanta, Georgia (April 21, 2012).

Vaughan, Melville B, *George, Lanice W, *Noon, Miriam C, AAAS-SWARM Annual Meeting, "Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin

Independent Modulation of Tension Generation," AAAS-SWARM, Tulsa, Oklahoma (March 31, 2012).

**Webb, Jessica M, Vaughan, Melville B, *Graves, Anna, Oklahoma Research Day 2013, "Increasing the precision of

measurements for tension generation by precancerous cells, Ker-CT-Ras," University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma

(March 8, 2013).

**Webb, Jessica M, *Graves, Anna D., Vaughan, Melville B, Sigma Xi SW Regional Research Conference, "Tension

Generation by Precancerous Skin Cells, Ker-CT-Ras," Sigma Xi, University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas (January

12, 2013).

**Webb, Jessica M, Vaughan, Melville B, OK-LSAMP 18th Annual Research Symposium, "Tension Generation by

Precancerous Skin Cells, Ker-CT-Ras," OK-LSAMP, Stillwater, Oklahoma (October 6, 2012).

**White, Jeremiah J, Vaughan, Melville B, Sigma Xi SW Regional Research Conference, "Effects of Light Emitting Diode

(LED) Photonic Stimulation Upon Myofibroblasts," Sigma Xi, University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas (January 12,

2013).

**White, Jeremiah J, Vaughan, Melville B, Oklahoma Research Day 2011, "Effects of light emitting diode (LED) photonic

stimulation upon myofibroblasts," Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma (November 4, 2011).

Other Faculty and Student Activities

Dr. Jim Bidlack was re-appointed by the Oklahoma State Regents to work with MERLOT (http://merlot.org), promoted to Editor

of the MERLOT Biology Editorial Board, and recently received the MERLOT House Cup on behalf of the Editorial Board for

highest performance during the 2011-2012 Academic Year. He served as Editor again in 2012-2013 and is currently serving a

third term in that capacity. Dr. Bidlack also received the Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award for his work with the

Tri-Beta Biology Club in 2012.

Dr. Robert Brennan was appointed by the Oklahoma State Regents to become a member of the MERLOT Biology Editorial

Board in 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014, and celebrated the MERLOT House Cup with Dr. Bidlack, and the 20+

members of the Editorial Board, for highest performance during the 2011-2012 Academic Year.

Dr. Gloria Caddell led botany field trips at the Fall Meeting of the Oklahoma Academy of Science during the past two years and

recently led a prairie plants field trip to the Selman Living Lab for Lek Treks & More: The 2012 Woodward Lesser Prairie-

Chicken Festival. Dr. Caddell also received the Oklahoma Native Plant Society Service Award in 2011.

Dr. Clark Ovrebo spent a month in Brazil during Summer 2012, doing field work and co-taught two short courses for students.

Clark was also the Chief Identifier for the Colorado Mycological Annual Mushroom Fair and led a Mycology Field Trip at the

OAS Fall Field Meeting, Boiling Springs State Park, later that year.

During May 2013, ten undergraduate students and three professors traveled to Belize for a Tropical Field Biology (BIO 4970)

class. Belize is a small, English-speaking country in Central America bordering the Caribbean Sea. The purpose of the class was

to become familiar with the flora and fauna of Belize and to discover how hydrology, geography, history and culture in Belize

have shaped these tropical ecosystems. A wide variety of habitats were visited, including lowland forest, upland pine savannah,

and coral reefs. We explored caves, visited Mayan temples, and spent three days canoeing down a river. We observed numerous

fascinating tropical creatures, including Keel-billed Toucans, Howler Monkeys, Morrelet’s Crocodiles, and manatees. Belize

flora and fauna were impressively diverse – we ended up finding five bat species, 17 reptile and amphibian species, 141 bird

species, and the biodiversity of the coral reefs was too high to easily quantify! Everyone was enchanted by this friendly, beautiful

country and vowed to return again as soon as they could.

http://merlot.org/


Dr. Melville Vaughan and 3 students attended the Sigma

Xi SW Regional Research Conference at the University

of Texas at Dallas, Jan. 11-13, 2013. Jing Herwig, a

Biology undergraduate, won second prize in the poster

competition for her poster “The effect of n-acetyl

cysteine (NAC) on cell proliferation in the stress-relaxed

collagen lattice model.” At this meeting, UCO students

and Faculty Mentor, Dr. Mel Vaughan, met Dr. Fred

Grinnell, a matrix biology expert from UT Southwestern

Medical Center in Dallas. From left to right, Jeremiah

White (Bioengineering MS student), Dr. Grinnell, Dr.

Vaughan, Jessica Webb (Bioengineering undergraduate

student), Jing Herwig (Biology undergraduate student).

Pictured from left to right: Jeremiah White

(Bioengineering MS student), Dr. Grinnell, Dr.

Vaughan, Jessica Webb (Bioengineering

undergraduate student), and Jing Herwig (Biology

undergraduate student).

Group photo in Belize! Back row, from left to right, is Dr. Chris Butler (trip co-leader), Matt Bryson,

Shey Ramsey, Amanda Eisemann, Dr. Clark Ovrebo (trip co-leader), and Zach Schomber. Front row,

from left to right, is Jessica Quinnett, Stephanie Gilbert, Katrina Hucks, Casey Hartgers, Carmen Cowo,

Felicia Osburn, and Dr. Jenna Hellack.


Alumni Activities

Dr. Greg Buck (BS 1991, MS 1993) is now retired in Checotah, Oklahoma.

Dr. Aaron Elmer (BS 1994, MS 1997) has been teaching at Murray State College (MSC) for the past 5

years. Aaron was selected to serve as Chair of the Science Department in January of 2012. In addition

to those responsibilities, Aaron has accepted the responsibility of being Director of a Native American

Serving Non-tribal Institution (NASNTI) grant that will invest $1.8 million into renovating labs and

rejuvenating the science curriculum. When time and opportunity make it possible, Aaron teaches a

wide range of courses including Botany, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and General Biology.

Recently, Aaron served as the Chair of the MSC Faculty Assembly and is currently serving on the

Faculty Advisory Council for the ORSHE. In his spare time, he participates as a member of the

Biology Editorial Board for MERLOT (http://merlot.org/).

Toby FitzSimons (BS 2006, MS 2010) is a Graduate Research Assistant and Doctoral Candidate in the

Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Department at the University of Arkansas.

Dr. Cassandra Meek (BS 1994, MS 1997) is a Senior Research Specialist at the Kiamichi Forest

Research Station in Idabel, OK. She is employed by Oklahoma State University in the Department of

Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Casey is also a Biology Professor at Eastern OK State

University - McCurtain County Campus.

Monty Porter (BS 1994, MS 2005) is the Technical and Quality Manager for the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board Water Quality Division (OWRB) in Oklahoma City, OK. Until 2012, he co-managed

the OWRB’s Beneficial Use Monitoring Program (BUMP). The BUMP is holistic and statewide,

collecting physical, chemical, and biological data in streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Through

regional, long-term trend and probabilistic networks, the agency provides comprehensive data and

analytical products for water management and planning. In his current position, Monty develops

products that enhance the agency’s data quality, management, analysis, and reporting, and continues

participation in a variety of state, regional and national workgroups and committees. Since 2004,

Monty has been involved with the design/implementation of the rivers/streams portion of the National

Aquatic Resource Surveys and recently served as a state representative for the National Advisory

Committee for Aquatic Resources. In 2012, he was named the USEPA Region 6 Representative to the

National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Monty also serves as Past-President of the Oklahoma

Clean Lakes/Watersheds Association, a state affiliate of NALMS.

http://merlot.org/


Mei-Chen Sung (MS, 1999) is a Research Associate IV in the Protein Chemistry Department at Bristol-

Myers Squibb - Biological Discovery in California (BMS-BDC). Mei-Chen has a major role in pre-

clinical R&D in the immuno-oncology area where she is developing methods for pharmacokinetics and

provides data analysis in order to support Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) programs. Her team is

focusing on developing a pipeline of innovative therapies that expand the frontiers of biomedical

research in the cancer area.

Pre-Health Professions Program

The Pre-Health Professions Program at UCO is alive and well. There are nearly 1000 declared Biology majors at UCO, and

many of them identify a health profession as their ultimate goal. In recent semesters, two new clubs have been formed by

students for students: The Pre-Dental Society and the Pre-Optometry Club. If you are interested in viewing students from the

last application cycle who authorized their photos for display after gaining admission to a health professions program , please

follow the link provided below:

http://biology.uco.edu/PersonalPages/AEwingWeb/whosgoingwhere.htm

How to Donate to the UCO Department of Biology

The UCO Biology Department is excited about its future and you can help move the department forward. To find out more about

how you can contribute towards UCO, the College of Mathematics & Science, and the Biology Department, go to:

https://broncho2.uco.edu/foundation_givenow/index.html

http://biology.uco.edu/PersonalPages/AEwingWeb/whosgoingwhere.htm

https://broncho2.uco.edu/foundation_givenow/index.html

Documents

Biolum 2011-2013.pdf