Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Doctoral Program

Dissertation Defense – Mickey Parker

Mickey Parker (EEB student, Fitzgerald Lab) will be defending his dissertation proposal this Friday at 9 am in WFES 236 and everyone is invited to attend the public portion of the proposal defense.

Title:  Improving Translocation Outcomes for Habitat Specialist Species: Population Restoration of Sceloporus arenicolus in West Texas.

Summary:
Use of conservation translocations to combat biodiversity loss has been steadily increasing since the 1960s, and this is projected to continue, especially in highly populated and biodiverse countries. While much of the narrative surrounding the current biodiversity crisis is focused on extinctions, population declines and range reductions are important sources of biodiversity loss and present opportunities to restore populations using conservation translocations. Research that can contribute to improving the outcomes of conservation translocations is critical for reversing biodiversity loss in the Anthropocene. My dissertation will build upon ongoing research centered on a conservation translocation of an extreme habitat specialist, the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus), in West Texas. The aim of research is to improve success rates of reintroductions and other types of conservation translocations by examining the effects of interspecific interactions (particularly those between specialist and generalist species), habitat fragmentation, and life history on translocation outcomes, using the lizard communities of the Mescalero-Monahans Sandhills as a study system.

Professional development opportunity

Aggie Women in Entomology is hosting a Networking Workshop on Friday September 28th from 11 AM to 12 PM in Heep 413 presented by Marilyn Yeager from the Career Center.
The Networking Workshop is open to all graduate students and early career professionals. If someone knows that they will be attending, AWE appreciates that person completing the Google Form below. Walk ins are of course welcome. We hope to see you there.
Sign Up Sheet

Media Training Workshop

Friday, October 5th from 12-2 pm, Jeff Pool (Communications Manager, COALS) will be running a Media Training Workshop for ABS and EEB.  The workshop is intended for graduate students, but postdocs and faculty are welcome.

Summary: This workshop is specifically designed to address the needs of scientists to communicate scientific or technical information in a variety of public and professional interactions, but primarily focused on media interviews and participating in public forums. Workshop goals include building scientists’ communication skill and confidence in engaging with public audiences and providing best practices for use of different communication methods and mechanisms. Participants learn how to identify a public engagement goal, determine the relevant audience, craft tailored messages to achieve their goal and rehearse their engagement scenario.  Participants will learn how to handle press inquiries, to placing feature stories and undertaking a media campaign. This section also includes practical tips on building relationships with national, trade and broadcast journalists.  Participants will also learn about what resources the College and University provides.

Please use the link below to sign up.  Room WFES 236.  Refreshments provided.

R Workshop

Are you interested in learning about the applications of R software?

The ESSM Graduate Student Association is hosting a workshop for ESSM, WFSC, EEB, and ABS graduate students, dedicated to the fundamentals of R. Topics will range from data entry and organization to statistics and data visualization. No previous experience with R is required to attend the workshop.

Sign up for one or both sessions on Wednesday, May 2nd in WFSC computer lab room 315.

Please complete the registration form above in order to secure your spot and to let us know what you want to gain from this workshop. This can have direct impact on the lesson plans.