MOLLY BARGER STEINWALD

biological educator - photographer - researcher

My intention is to fuse education, photography, and research to heighten public perception of and passion for the everyday environment. Beauty is in the ordinary.

Contact me at: steinwmc@muohio.edu

Miami University, Department of Zoology, Oxford, OH, 45056

Office: Pearson Hall 152, 513-529-3178

Lab: Pearson Hall 253F, 513-529-3160

Fax: 513-529-6900

*EDUCATION*   *TEACHING*   *RESEARCH*   *PHOTOGRAPHY*   *OUTREACH*   *FAMILY LIFE*   *IN THE NEWS*   *OTHER*

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. Zoology, candidate. Miami University. Oxford, OH.       (Advisor: Dr. Susan Hoffman) 

• M.S. Ecology. Purdue University. West Lafayette, IN. 2004.       (Advisor: Dr. Peter Waser)

• B.S. Biology. University of Dallas. Irving, TX. 1999.       (Advisor: Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden)

• H.S. graduate. Manchester High School West. Manchester, NH. 1995.

TEACHING

EXPERIENCE:

• Miami University, Department of Zoology. Laboratory Instructor (Graduate Teaching Assistant). Fall 2005-present.

• Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (head instructor/coordinator 2007)

• Principles of Human Physiology

• Other: Ornithology. guest co-taught study skin preparation labs. 2 weeks, Spring 2008.

• Earth Expeditions, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden/Project Dragonfly. Instructor. Fall 2005, 2006.

• Primate Behavior and Conservation (a graduate level course for grade school and high school teachers to learn about current conservation issues and using inquiry-based methods for science instruction)

• Ave Maria College.* Ypsilanti, MI. Instructor, lecture and laboratory. Fall 2004-Spring 2005.  (*now Ave Maria University in FL.)

• Cellular Biology 

• Organismal and Population Biology 

• Ave Maria College. Science Laboratory Director and Instructor. Fall 2002-Spring 2005.

• Cellular Biology

• Organismal and Population Biology

• Genetics

• College Physics I

• College Physics II

• Principles of Physics

• Purdue University, Department of Biological Sciences. Laboratory Instructor (Graduate Teaching Assistant). Fall 2000-Spring 2002.

• Development, Structure and Function of Organisms

• Ecology, Diversity and Behavior

• University of Dallas, Biology Department. Undergraduate Laboratory Teaching Assistant. Spring 1998-Fall 1999.

• Animal Behavior

• Avian Ecology

AWARDS:

• Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. Purdue University. 2001, 2002.

• Graduate Teaching Assistantship. Miami University. Fall 2005-present. Full tuition waiver and stipend.

• Graduate Teaching Assistantship. Purdue University. Fall 2000-Spring 2002. Full tuition waiver and stipend.

RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Recommender of 25+ undergraduate students to undergraduate schools, graduate schools, medical schools, and environmental and zoological internship programs. Miami University, Ave Maria College, Purdue University. 2002-present.

• Academic advisor to biology majors and non-majors. Ave Maria College. Fall 2004-Spring 2005.

RESEARCH

EXPERIENCE:

Evaluating genetic consequences of population declines in northern Michigan's woodland deer mouse, Peromyscusmaniculatus gracilis, via mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA analyses of historical museum specimens and current populations.  Advisor: Dr. Susan Hoffman. Miami University. field and lab work. 2005-present.
Investigating home range utilization, social and mating system of the banner-tailed kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis, in southeastern Arizona via spool-and-line tracking, direct observations, and microsatellite DNA analyses.  Advisor: Dr. Peter Waser. Purdue University. field and lab work. 1998-2002 (2 yrs as undergrad, 2 as grad).
Effects of non-native Ligustrum (Privet) shrub species on community composition of a northeast Texas woodlot.  Advisor: Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden. University of Dallas. field and lab work. 1997-1999. (Student research coordinator for university woodlot research. 1997-1999.)
Parental care behavior, population trends and microbiota prevalence in Western gull (Larus occidentalis) colonies of Alactraz Island, San Francisco, California. Advisor: Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden. University of Dallas. field work summer 1997; lab work 1997-1998.
Analysis of Texas bird population trends for republication of book, The Birds of North Central Texas, by Warren Pulich; avian study skin preparation for University of Dallas collection and local education centers.  Supervisor: Professor Emeritus Warren Pulich. University of Dallas. field and lab work. 1996-1997.
Coastal and woodland bird population surveys of southern New Hampshire.  Supervisors: Mr. Timothy Bertrand and Mr. Dane Badders, Manchester High School West, NH. field work. 1993-1995.

RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Trained in live-trapping, ear-tagging, mist-netting, avian identification, blood and tissue sample extraction, fecal sampling, focal observations, avian, mammal and reptile study skin preparation, phenol chloroform and qiagen/omega methods of DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genome sequencing, southern blot, cloning and subcloning, and others...

• Graduate mentor and supervisor of 9 undergraduate laboratory research assistants in studying Peromyscus mouse population genetics. Miami University. 2005-present.

• Graduate representative and voting member. Department of Zoology Undergraduate Advisory and Research Committee. Miami University. Fall 2005-Spring 2006.

• Supervisor of one undergraduate field research assistant (Jamie Skvarla Sanderlin) in studying kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) populations and behavior at Arizona field research site. Purdue University. Spring 2001.

RECOGNITIONS:

• Graduate Research Assistantship. Purdue University. Spring 2001. Full tuition waiver and stipend.

• National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Grant. $3000. 1998.

• Honorable Mention for paper presented at Texas Academy of Science 101st annual meeting. 1998.

• University of Dallas Summer Research Grant. $3000. 1996.

MEMBERSHIPS:

• American Society of Mammalogists

• Animal Behavior Society

• Canadian Society of Zoologists

• Ecological Society of America

• Sigma Xi

• Society for Conservation Biology

PUBLICATIONS:

• Steinwald Mary C, Swanson Bradley J, and Waser Peter M. 2006. Effects of spool-and-line tracking on small desert mammals. Southwestern Naturalist 51: 71-78.

PRESENTATIONS:

• DNA Amplification from Small Mammal Museum Specimens: Challenges and Preliminary Results using Peromyscus Mice. Steinwald M, Hoffman SMG. Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Ohio University, Athens, OH. 2007. 

• Diversity in sympatric populations of Peromyscus in the Great Lakes region. Taylor ZS, Steinwald MC, Myers P, Lundrigan B, Hoffman SMG. American Society of Mammalogists 87th annual meeting, Albuquerque, NM. 2007.

• Preliminary steps in microsatellite analyses of Peromyscus populations in northern Michigan. Tornes SE, Stefanak EE, Irwin WE, Campbell JE, Burton CH, Taylor ZS, Steinwald MC, Hoffman SMG. 13th annual Undergraduate Research Forum, Miami University. 2007.

• Tracking long-term population shifts in Great Lakes populations of Peromyscus. Taylor ZS, Steinwald MC, Hoffman SMG. 27th annual Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Kent State University, OH. 2007.

• Evidence of female reproductive strategies in Dipodomys spectabilis via spool-and-line tracking. Department of Zoology Ecolunch, Miami University. 2006.

• Female reproductive strategies in a solitary small mammal, the banner-tailed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spectabilis). Steinwald MC and Waser PM. American Society of Mammalogists 86th annual meeting, University of Massachusetts,  Amherst, MA. 2006.

• Is there interbreeding in two populations of Peromyscus: implications for conservation. Manson K, Miller M, Steinwald MC, Hoffman S. 12th annual Undergraduate Research Forum, Miami University. 2006.

• Genetic consequences of climate change on expanding populations of Peromyscus leucopus in the Great Lakes: patterns in the mitochondrial DNA. Moscarella RA, Lundrigan BL, Myers P, Hoffman S, Poor A, Steinwald MC, and Yahnke C. 26th annual Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, St. Louis, MO. 2006.

• The foraging patterns and social interactions of the bannertailed kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis. Texas Academy of Science 102nd annual meeting, Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX. 1999.

• Movement patterns as a function of sex in the bannertailed kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis. 6th annual Student Research Conference, West Texas A & M University, Canyon, TX. 1999.

• Ecology of a university-owned woodlot: inventory, monitoring and community education. Texas Academy of Science 101st annual meeting, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX. 1998.

• Further analysis of indigenous microbiota and breeding population trends of the western gulls of Alcatraz Island. American Ornithologists Union 116th annual meeting, St. Louis, MO. 1998.

• Analysis of the indigenous microbiota and breeding population trends of the western gulls of Alcatraz Island. Colonial Waterbird Society 21st annual meeting, Lafayette, LA. 1997.

PHOTOGRAPHY

TO VIEW AND/OR PURCHASE IMAGES, GO TO:  http://mollysteinwald.etsy.com/

(new website, http://www.mollysteinwald.com, is under construction)

INTENTION:

      In combination with my other skills,

• To elucidate humankind's intimate relation to the natural world

• To foster awareness, appreciation, and ultimate preservation of local, often-unnoticed, natural and historic areas
  

TRAINING:

• Self-taught

FINE ARTS EXHIBITS:

• Sundance Film Festival, Gen Art/St. Ives Sensory Spa and Gallery, Park City, UT. Jan 2008.

• Curated by Gen Art, "the leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists", with offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago.

• Kofenya coffee house. Oxford, OH. Winter 2007-8.

AWARDS:

• Charley Harper Art Scholarship for Biological Science Students. Miami University. $950. April 2008.

• Selected by Gen Art as "1 of 7 emerging female artists from around the US" to participate in Gen Art/St Ives Sensory Spa and Gallery fine arts exhibit at the Sundance Film Festival. All printing, framing, matting, set-up paid for by Gen Art, with all profits from sales going directly to the artist. Jan 2008. 

• North American Nature Photography Association 2008 College Student Summit Scholarship. Selected internationally as 1 of 10 college students to train with and be advised by high-profile international nature photographers at NANPA's week-long international meeting. ~$1500. Nov 2007.

MEMBERSHIPS:

• American Society of Media Photographers

• North American Nature Photography Association

EQUIPMENT:

• 21-year old Minolta Maxxum lenses: 70-210mm f/4 and 28-80mm macro

• Sony Alpha A100 digital camera body

OUTREACH

COURSES TAUGHT:

• Primate Behavior and Conservation. Earth Expeditions, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden/Project Dragonfly. Instructor. Fall 2005, 2006.

• a graduate level course for grade school and high school teachers to learn about current conservation issues and how to use inquiry-based methods for science instruction

PRESENTATIONS:

• Tracking a large mammal: seeing where an interest in biology can lead you. Manchester Central High School. Manchester, NH. 2006.

• The biology behind caffeine and nicotine: what they do to you and why. Dean’s Lecture Series. Ave Maria College (AMC). 2005.

• The biology behind drinking and other hazards of college life. AMC. 2005.

• Catholics and evolution: what you need to know and why. AMC. 2004, 2005.

• Catholicism and the environment: a necessary friendship. AMC. 2003, 2004.

• From mammals to microsatellites—and back again: The role of genetic analysis in the study of animal behavior.  AMC.  2003.

MEMBERSHIPS:

• Association for Women in Science

• National Association for Interpretation

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Project Wet  (Indiana)

• "to facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of state and internationally sponsored Project WET programs"

• Project Wild  (Indiana)

• "one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school"

• Project Learning Tree  (Indiana)

• "to increase students' understanding of our environment; stimulate students' critical and creative thinking; develop students' ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill in students the commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment"

ELECTIVE COURSEWORK TAKEN OUTSIDE HOME DEPARTMENT:

• Graduate level. Purdue University.

• Environmental Education

• Nature of Science in Science Teaching

• Natural Resource Policy Analysis

• Philosophy of Biological Instruction

• Undergraduate level. University of Dallas.

• Philosophy of Science

AWARDS:

• Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Junior Tree Steward Camp, full scholarship. 1993.

• Citizen's Bank High School Achievement Award. $1000. Manchester High School West. 1995.

• Principal’s Meritorious Service Award. Manchester High School West. 1995.

• National Honor Society member. Manchester High School West. 1993-1995.

OTHER:

• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, volunteer. 1993-1995.

• Students for Environmental Action, member. Manchester High School West, NH. 1993-1995.

FAMILY LIFE

I am most grateful to my husband, Walter, who is postponing his own educational aspirations to take care of our children full-time while I am in school and work. We involve our children as much as possible in my activities; and my family accompanies me on my field research trips. I am grateful to my research advisor, Dr. Susan Hoffman, for allowing us to do field work this way, since family research trips are certainly not the norm. But I am proud to say that the little Steinwald family does quite well acting as a single data collection team! My two young children both know how to identify numerous animal and plant species, set and check live-traps, catch and handle many kinds of small animals, and have more traveling and camping experience (and ecological knowledge, probably...) than I had upon entering college. They really enjoy themselves while also learning about and becoming tremendously comfortable in the glorious outdoors. They both also have small cameras that they carry around regularly; and my daughter in particular seems to be growing into a spirited and observant little photographer!

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS:

• Oxford Press (city newspaper) - 04/2008

• Miami University Botany Department News - 04/2008

• Oxford Press - 03/2008

• Miami University News - 01/2008

• Miami University News - 12/2007

OTHER

OTHER INTERESTS:

• Poetry, literature, philosophy

• Music, history, politics, religion

• Germanic languages

• Taxidermy

RELEVANT GRADUATE ACADEMIC WORK:

• Coursework. Miami University.

• Animal Behavior

• Biology of Invasions

• Conservation Biology

• Ecological Modeling

• Environmental Analysis and Modeling

• Pedagogy in Zoology

• Population and Community Ecology

• Coursework. Purdue University.

• Advanced Ecology

• Advanced Evolution

• Applied Regression Analysis

• Animal Communication

• Ecology and Population Biology 

• Environmental Education

• Evolution

• Evolution of Virulence

• Sex and Evolution

• Natural Resource Policy Analysis

• Philosophy of Biological Instruction

• Natural Resource Policy Analysis

• Nature of Science in Science Teaching

RELEVANT UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC WORK:

• Dean’s List or Honor Roll. University of Dallas. 1996-1999.

• Coursework

• Animal Behavior

• Avian Ecology

• Biostatistics

• Chimpanzee Politics

• Community Ecology

• Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

• Ecology

• Experimental Techniques

• Evolutionary Biology

• Genetics

• Physiology

• Philosophy of Science

HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC WORK:

• President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Manchester High School West, NH. 1995.

• High Honor Roll. Manchester High School West. 1991-1995.