JenP

I am primarily interested in the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat. In 1998, I received my B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Biological Conservation from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I went on to work for several years as a research assistant on bird (WI, MI, NH), native plant (NY), and amphibian and reptile (ME) conservation research projects before heading to the University of Akron to pursue my M.S. with Dr. Peter Niewiarowski. As an NSF GK-12 Fellow at Akron, I conducted research on the effects of habitat fragmentation on amphibian breeding pond connectivity. Specifically, I used microsatellite markers to determine the hierarchical population structure of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in the fragmented landscape of northeastern Ohio. I also worked with local elementary schools to involve K-12 students and teachers in my research. I received my M.S. in Biology in 2004, and came to Miami University in January 2005, to work with Dr. Michelle Boone on my Ph.D.

I am primarily interested in the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat. In 1998, I received my B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Biological Conservation from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I went on to work for several years as a research assistant on bird (WI, MI, NH), native plant (NY), and amphibian and reptile (ME) conservation research projects before heading to the University of Akron to pursue my M.S. with Dr. Peter Niewiarowski. As an NSF GK-12 Fellow at Akron, I conducted research on the effects of habitat fragmentation on amphibian breeding pond connectivity. Specifically, I used microsatellite markers to determine the hierarchical population structure of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in the fragmented landscape of northeastern Ohio. I also worked with local elementary schools to involve K-12 students and teachers in my research. I received my M.S. in Biology in 2004, and came to Miami University in January 2005, to work with Dr. Michelle Boone on my Ph.D.
My research at Miami University is still focused on examining the importance of habitat variation for amphibian conservation. Habitat loss and alteration is one of the main factors implicated in the decline of North American amphibians. While a great deal of research has examined the effects of landscape-level habitat alteration on amphibians, much less is known about the importance of variation in local habitat structural complexity, which can have significant effects on growth, survival, and reproduction in a variety of taxa. I use a combination of laboratory behavioral studies, outdoor aquatic mesocosm and terrestrial enclosure experiments, and field observations to explore the effects of variation in aquatic and terrestrial habitat complexity (i.e., vegetation structure, substrate structure, shading), competition, and predation on amphibian growth, survival, and community composition. Conclusions from this research will add to our understanding of the factors that determine community structure and species distributions, and will enhance our ability to protect, restore, and create suitable habitat for amphibians.

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