Faculty

Dr. Rebekah Taylor

Department Chair/Associate Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 303
Telephone: 301-687-4355
Email: rtaylor@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis
B.A. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Molecular Biology; Theatre

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Immunology, Virology, Cell Biology, Advanced Microscopy, General Biology, Seminar in Biology, Biotechnology Laboratory
Special Topics: Host-Pathogen Interactions

Research:

Dr. Taylor's research interests are centered on immunology, especially host-pathogen interactions and mucosal immunology. Currently, Dr. Taylor and several undergraduate and graduate students are currently investigating the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, in Western Maryland. Ticks are collected and tested for the presence of Borrelia by PCR analysis, and blood and tissue samples from wild mice are also tested by ELISA and PCR. These data along with environmental information will allow a broad picture of the emergence of Lyme in the regional area.

Dr. Taylor mentors undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in learning advanced biological techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dissection and cryopreservation, tissue sectioning, histochemical staining, ELISA, PCR, and cell culture.

Curriculum Vita

Dr. William Seddon

Interim Department Chair/Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 311
Telephone: 301-687-4707
Email: wseddon@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. M.S. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
B.S. Pennsylvania State University

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Animal Physiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, General Biology, Comparative Animal Physiology, Zoology (laboratory), Seminar in Biology

Research Interest:

Dr. Seddon’s research interests include comparative physiology, biochemical mechanisms of temperature adaptation in freshwater fishes, and molecular biology applications for population biology. Undergraduate and graduate research projects include feeding behavior of fishes, characterization of small animal parasites, optimization of DNA isolation from animal tissues and scat, and the use of molecular methods to assess distribution of small mammals.

Recent Publications:

Munasinghe, K. A., T. C. Matthews, W. L. Seddon, and B. E. Knouse. 2021. Characterization of Chicken Skin Collagen Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) and SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Journal of Nutritional Health & Food Engineering. Vol. 11(1):1‒5.

Petrick, K., Seddon, W., Lambert, T., and F. K. Ammer. 2019. Fecal pellet surveys and DNA analysis reveal that Appalachian cottontails (Sylvilagus obscurus) are more widespread than previously recorded in western Maryland. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Vol. 93, No. 1: 13-25.

McGinley, E. J., Raesly R. L., and Seddon, W. L. 2013. The Effects of Embeddedness on the Seasonal Feeding of Mottled Sculpin. The American Midland Naturapnas 170(2):213-228.

Raley, A., R. Price, W. Seddon, and K. Keller. 2012. Gastrointestinal parasites in road-killed raccoons and opossums in Western Maryland. Journal of Student Research 1(3):29-30.

Rothschild, D. M., T. L. Serfass, W. L. Seddon, L. Hegde, and R. S. Fritz. 2010. Using fecal glucocorticoids to assess stress levels in captive river otters. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:138-142.

Seddon, W. L., and C. L. Prosser. 1999. Non-enzymatic isolation and culture of channel catfish hepatocytes using a collagenase-free perfusion system. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 123A:9-15.

Seddon, W. L. 1997. Mechanisms of temperature acclimation in the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus: isozymes and quantitative changes. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 118A (3):813-820.

Seddon, W. L., and C. L. Prosser. 1997. Seasonal variations in the temperature acclimation response of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Physiological Zoology. 70(1):33-44.

Dr. Franklin Hughes

Associate Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 313
Telephone: 301-687-4177
Email: fphughes@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Palmer College of Chiropractic
B.A. Chemistry, West Virginia University

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

General Biology, Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II

Background:

Dr. Hughes maintained a successful practice as a Chiropractic Physician for 12 years prior to his career in academia. He maintains licenses to practice in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Hawai’i.

Languages:

English, American Sign Language

Presentations:

“Correlation Between Cortisol Levels, Perceived Anxiety and Performance in Students Presented with a Testing Stressor – A Poster Presentation.” Franklin P. Hughes, DC, Principal Investigator and Nathnael Tessema, Undergraduate Student, Department of Biology, Frostburg State University.

Dr. Hughes has presented the following Radiology Workshops to FSU’s Nurse Practitioner Program:

“Chest X-Ray, A Systematic Approach to Interpretation”

“Skeletal Trauma & Basic Fracture Identification”

Publications:

Hughes F, Keller K. 2022. A comparison of student preferences for presentation format in an undergraduate human anatomy and physiology course before and after the pandemic. HAPS Educ 26(3):12-20

Hughes F. Chiropractic and oral surgical co-management of acute anterior temporomandibular disc displacement without reduction due to sports-related trauma in a pediatric patient – a case study and review of the literature. J Contemporary Chiropr 2021;4:26-34

Hughes F. Reduction of cortisol levels and perceived anxiety in a patient undergoing chiropractic management for neck pain and headache: a case report and review of the literature. J Contemporary Chiropr 2020;3:14-20

Keller K., Hughes F. 2021. Does a Student’s Academic Major Influence Their Perceptions of a Human Anatomy & Physiology Course and Ultimately Their Success in the Course? HAPS Educ 25(2):13-29

Cited as an Expert in Chiropractic Economics:

Worth, T. “Strength in Numbers. An Integrative Practice Offers Multiple Ways to Achieve Best Outcomes for Your Patients.” Chiropractic Economics Issue #9: June 12, 2013: 34 - 40. Print.

Interests:

As a pilot, Dr. Hughes also serves with the Civil Air Patrol - U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.

Selected Professional Memberships:

Human Anatomy & Physiology Society
American Association for Anatomy
National Association of Advisors for Health Professions
Northeast Association of Advisors for Health Professions
West Virginia Chiropractic Society

Dr. Karen Keller

Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 304
Telephone: 301-687-4174
Email: klkeller@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Physiology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1999
M.S. Biological Sciences, Frostburg State University, 1992
B.A. Biological Sciences, Frostburg State University, 1989

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Histology, General Parasitology, Health Science Seminar

Research Projects Highlights:

Dr. Keller’s research interests include histological sectioning and immunohistochemical staining and analysis of animal tissues. Undergraduate and graduate research projects have focused on the presence of various neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors in frog, rat, and mouse tissues and the identification of parasites from local mammal populations. Recent projects have also included pedagogical research in anatomy and physiology education.

Selected Recent Publications:

Keller, K.L., F.P. Hughes. 2021. Does a student’s academic major influence their perceptions of a human anatomy and physiology course and ultimately their success in the course? HAPS Educator. 25(2):13-29.

Cat Dissection Exercises (7 Exercises) for Laboratory Manual for Human Anatomy & Physiology, A Hands-On Approach, Cat Version. 2020. Greene, M.L., Robison, R.H., and Strong, L.C., Pearson Higher Education, Inc.

Fetal Pig Dissection Series (10 Videos) for Pearson Mastering A&P. 2019. Pearson Higher Education, Inc.

Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, by Catharine C. Whiting, 2019. Pearson Higher Education, Inc. (Media Contributing Author and Editorial Consultant).

Human Anatomy & Physiology, 1st Edition, by Erin C. Amerman, 2016. Pearson Higher Education, Inc. (Contributed Chapters 26 and 27).

Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual, 1st Edition, by Catharine C. Whiting, 2016. Pearson Higher Education, Inc. (Contributing Author).

Selected Awards and Honors:

2017 President’s Distinguished Faculty Award, Faculty Achievement Award for University & Community Service, Phi Kappa Phi, Excellence in Teaching Award from Student Members of The National Society of Leadership and Success.

Selected Professional Memberships:

Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) Northeast Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NEAAHP)

Additional Information:

Dr. Keller is Coordinator of the Health Science program and Chair of the Health Professions Advisory Council at FSU.

Dr. Cody Kent

Assistant Professor

Office:
Telephone:
Email: cmkent@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Tulane University - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
B.A. Ohio Wesleyan University - Zoology

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Quantitative Analysis of Vertebrate Populations, Ornithology, General Biology

Research Interests:

I am primarily interested in how population level processes scale up to the community, as well as related evolutionary drivers. Much of my work centers around how individual and species-specific behaviors, coupled with resource availability, influence niche breadth, overlap, and coexistence. I also apply these questions to urban and agricultural systems to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts and limit the spread of zoonotic diseases. I have a passion for data analysis and use a range of modeling techniques to understand these phenomena.

Publications:

KKent, C.M., Ramey, A.M., +24 co-authors, and D.J. Prosser. 2022. Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle. Scientific Reports. 12:13083.

Roden-Reynolds, P., Kent, C.M., Li, A.Y., and J.M. Mullinax. 2022. Patterns of white-tailed deer movements in suburban Maryland: implications for zoonotic disease mitigation. Urban Ecosystems. In Press.

Roden-Reynolds, P., Kent, C.M., Li, A.Y., and J.M. Mullinax. 2022. White-tailed deer spatial distributions in relation to ‘4-Poster’ tick control devices in suburbia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19: 4889.

Akresh, M.E., Lamonde, S., Stokes. L., Kent, C.M., Kahoun, F., and J.M.C. Storr. 2022. A reviewer of wood warblers (Parulidae) predation of vertebrates and descriptions of three new observations. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. 35: 29-39.

Sherry, T.W., and C.M. Kent. 2022. Extensions and limitations of MacArthur (1958): A review of ecological and evolutionary approaches to competition and diet in the New World wood warblers (Parulidae). Ornithology. 139: ukac010.

Poh, K.C., Evans, J.R., Skvarla, M.J., Kent, C.M., Olafson, P.U., Hickling, G., Mullinax, J.M. and E.T. Machtinger. 2022. Patterns of deer ked (Diptera: Hippobascidae) and tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) infestation on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the eastern United States. Parasites & Vectors., 15: 31.

Kent, C.M., *Huh, K.M., Hunter, S.C., Judson, K., Powell, L.L., and T.W. Sherry. 2022. High resource overlap and small dietary differences are widespread in food-limited warbler (Parulidae) communities. Ibis, 164: 44-59.

Buck, E.J., Sullivan, J.D., Kent, C.M., Mullinax, J.M., and D.J. Prosser. 2021. A comparison of methods for the long-term harness-based attachment of radio-transmitters to juvenile Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica). Animal Biotelemetry, 9: 32.

Rosamond, K.M., Kent, C.M., Hunter, S.C., and T.W. Sherry. 2020. Morphological traits influence prey selection by coexisting species of New world warblers (Parulidae). Journal of Field Ornithology, 91: 393-408.

Kent, C.M., and T.W. Sherry. 2020. Behavioral niche partitioning reexamined: do behavioral differences predict dietary differences? Ecology, 101:e03077.

Sherry, T.W., Kent, C.M., Sánchez, N., and C.H. Şekercioğlu. 2020. Insectivorous birds in the Neotropics: ecological radiations, specializations, and evolution of community structure in species-rich faunas. The Auk, 137: 1-27.

Kent, C.M., Peele, A.M., and T.W. Sherry. 2019. Comparing four simple, inexpensive methods for sampling forest arthropod communities. Journal of Field Ornithology, 90: 57-69.

Kent, C.M., and E.H. Burtt Jr. 2016. Feather-degrading bacilli in the plumage of wild birds: Prevalence and relation to feather wear. The Auk, 133: 583-592.

Additional Information:

Cody Kent's website

Dr. Thomas Lambert

Associate Professor
Wildlife & Fisheries, and Interpretive Biology & Natural History Program Coordinator

Office: Compton Science Center 211
Telephone: 301-687-4167
Email: tdlambert@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. 2004. Forestry, University of Toronto. Dissertation Title: “Small mammals of the southeastern Amazon and the ecological consequences of selective logging.” Supervisors: Jay R. Malcolm & Barbara L. Zimmerman.
M.S. 1999. Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Thesis Title “Effects of forest Fragmentation on Rodent Community Structure.” Supervisor: Gregory H. Adler.
B.S. 1995. Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Additional Information

Background:

I have a B.S. & a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I received my Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Toronto. Since completing my Ph.D. I was a post-doc with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, a postdoctoral teaching & research associate at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and a teaching fellow at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Since 2008 I have been an assistant professor of biology here at Frostburg State University.

Courses Taught:

Throughout my career I have taught a wide range of courses ranging from introductory biology to field ecology to graduate level statistical analysis classes. Currently the main courses I teach are Mammalogy, Animal Behavior and non-majors introductory biology.

Research Project Highlights:

My research has largely focused on small mammal ecology. Specifically how anthropogenic changes in habitat structure impact small mammal community structure and in turn how changes in small mammal community structure can impact overall biodiversity through changes in seed predation and seed dispersal. Largely these projects have been conducted in the Tropics, with past research being done in Panama, Venezuela & Brazil. However my interests are not limited to the tropics and I am activity seeking to conduct more research in temperate regions. Additionally I am not only interested in small mammals but have recently begun several projects looking at deer browsing and the potential impacts of coyotes on deer populations.

More about Dr Lambert

Dr. Hongqi Li

Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 306
Telephone: 301-687-4168
Email: hli@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. The Ohio State University
M.S. China University of Mining and Technology
B.S. Nanjing University, China

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

General Botany, Human Biology and the Environment, Morphology of Non-Vascular Plants, Morphology of Vascular Plants, Somatics - the Chinese approaches; Laboratory Teaching Experience

Research Interest:

My research interests include:

-Study of Mesozoic and Paleozoic fossil plants in tracing the origin of flowering plants

-Study of both living and fossil Carnivorous Plants with their morphology, ecology, and origin
Other biological studies, from interested molecules (using GC-MS and THertz Spectroscopy) to plant therapeutical properties

- Other biological studies, from interested molecules (using GC-MS and THertz Spectroscopy) to plant therapeutical properties.

Paleobotanic Research Interests:

My research interests are mainly focused on the "origin of angiosperms" that has been an "abominable mystery" since Darwin. Currently, we still do not know when, where, and from which plants the flowering plants originated, while the confirmed, earliest angiosperm megafossils are 125 million years old, found from the Yixian Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Liaoning, northeastern China.

I have published three papers on three different fossil flowering plants found from the Yixian Formation, including Archaefructus eoflora (Ji et al., 2004), Archaeamphora longicervia (Li, 2005) and Hyrcantha decussata (Dlicher et al., 2007). Considering that angiosperms had highly diversified during the Early Cretaceous, the origin of angiosperms must be much earlier.

To trace the possible PreCretaceous angiosperms, I am applying two approaches, studying the plant morphology and anatomy and analyzing fossil molecules from 1) angiosperms collected form the Yixian Formation of the Early Cretaceous, northeastern China; 2) possible angiosperm fossil plants collected form the Middle-Late Jurassic, northeastern China; 3) fossil plants that have some angiosperm characteristics, collected form the Late Triassic- Early Jurassic, northern and southern China; and 4) Permian gigantopterids (250-290 million years ago) from China and USA.

I have been studying Chinese gigantopterids since 1983 and found their morphology (e.g., broad leaves, complex reticulate venation) and anatomy (e.g., paracytic stomata, vessels. 1996 Science) make them resemble angiosperms the most among all living and fossil seed plants, and their Permian age well matches the origin time of angiosperms suggested by molecular clock studies (see my gigantopterid-related-papers published in 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, and 1999). However, because the confirmed earliest angiosperms are only about 125 million years old, I have been hesitating to further correlate gigantopterids with angiosperms, unless I obtain some more convincing evidence.

Because there is no DNA or RNA preserved in PreCretaceous fossil plants, we have to use other stable fossil molecules to trace lineage of angiosperms. Oleanane appears to be an ideal angiosperm biomarker because it has been found in most angiosperm families, and its increase matches well with the diversification of flowering plants during Cretaceous.

From the Yixian Formation, I have reported a species flowering plant, Archaefructus eoflora (Ji et al., 2004). More excitingly, I also have found fossil pitcher plants from the same place in the same fossil flora (Li, 2005). The fossil pitcher plants of Archaeamphora longicervia share many characteristics with modern sarraceniacean pitcher plants of America. Since Sarraceniaceae are placed within the crown group of angiosperms, the discovery of the sarraceniacean-like fossil pitcher plants suggests the basal angiosperms should have originated much earlier, possibly as 280 million years ago as recent molecular clock studies suggested. I have found oleanane from the Chinese gigantopterids of Permian (Taylor et al., 2006, Paleobiology 32(2): 179-190). Nature editor Dr. Henry Gee pointed out that, "If they (gigantopterids) are found to be closer to the flowering plants, the lineage leading to flowering plants will be put securely back into the Permian period" (http://www.nature.com/nsu/991209/991209-8.html).

-2007 Dilcher, David L., Ge Sun, Qiang Ji, and Hongqi Li. An early infructescence Hyrcantha decussata (comb. nov.) from the Yixian Formation in northeastern China. PNAS 104(22): 9370-9374 (May 22, 2007). An early infructescence Hyrcantha decussata (comb. nov.) from the Yixian Formation in northeastern China

-2006 Taylor, David Winship, Hongqi Li, Jeremy Dahl, Fred J. Fago, David Zinniker, and J. Michael Moldowan. Biogeochemical Evidence for Late Paleozoic origin and deep phylogenetic root of Angiosperms. Paleobiology 32(2): 179-190.

-2004 Ji, Qiang, Hongqi Li, L. Michelle Bowe, Yusheng Liu, and David W. Taylor. Early Cretaceous Archaefructus eoflora sp. nov. with bisexual flowers from Beipiao, western Liaoning, China. Acta Geologica Sinica 78, 883-896.

-1999 Li, Hongqi and David W. Taylor. Vessel-Bearing Stems, Vasovinea tianii gen. et sp. nov. (Gigantopteridales), from the Upper Permian of Guizhou Province, China. American Journal of Botany 86(11): 1563-1575.

-1998 Li, Hongqi and David W. Taylor. Aculeovinea yunguiensis gen. et sp. nov. (Gigantopteridales), a new taxon of gigantopterid axis from the Upper Permian of Guizhou Province, China. International Journal of Plant Sciences 159: 1023-1033.

-1996 Li, Hongqi, Edith. L. Taylor, and Thomas. N. Taylor. Permian vessel elements. Science 271: 188-189.

-1996 Tian, Baolin, Shijun Wang, Yingting Guo, Hongqi Li, Guiren Chen, and Hong Zhao. Flora of Paleozoic Coalballs of China. The Palaeobotanists, 45: 247-254.

-1994 Li, Hongqi, Baolin Tian, Edith L. Taylor, and Thomas N. Taylor. Foliar Anatomy of Gigantonoclea guizhouensis (Gigantopteridales) from the Upper Permian of Guizhou Province, China. American Journal of Botany 81(6): 678-689.

-1992 Tian, Baolin and Hongqi Li. A New special Petrified Stem, Guizhouoxylon dahebianense gen. et sp. nov., from Upper Permian in Shuicheng District, Guizhou, China. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 31(3): 336-345 (in Chinese and English).

-1990 Li, Hongqi and Baolin Tian. Anatomic Study of the Foliage leaf of Gigantonoclea guizhouensis Gu et Zhi. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 29(2): 216-227, 3 Plates. (In Chinese with English summary).

Carnivous Plants Research Interests:

The Archaeamphora longicervia found from the Lower Cretaceous is actually a fossil pitcher plant that shares many morphological and anatomical characteristics with modern sarraceniacean pitcher plants of America (Li, 2005). This conclusion is also supported with the discovery of angiosperm biomark molecule oleanane from Archaeamphora specimens. Since Sarraceniaceae are placed within the crown group of angiosperms, this is the earliest fossil record of carnivorous plants and the earliest fossil record of crown group of angiosperms.

My discovery of fossil pitcher plant Archaeamphora also inspired my interests in study of modern carnivorous plants, including their origin, phytogeography, morphology, ecology, conservation, and molecular as well as medicinal studies. I had one graduate student complete his master degree research on a comprehensive investigation of local populations of Sarracenia purpurea. Beside these, I have organized the 6th Conference of International Carnivorous Plant Society, hosted at Frostburg State University, June 1-5, 2006.

-2010 Hongqi Li and Michael Gould. Observation of Reproductive Organs of Sarraceniaceae with SEM LV Model. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 39: 56-61.

-2010 Adam Hnatkovich and Hongqi Li. Comparative morphological studies of Sarracenia purpurea L. (Sarraceniaceae) populations around western Maryland, USA. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 39: 50-54.

-2005 Yuejin Hua and Hongqi Li. Food Web and Fluid in Pitchers of Nepenthes mirabilis in Zhuhai, China. Acta Botanica Gallica 152(2): 165-176.

Other Biological Studies:

When I was working on modern pitcher plants and trying to find out some special molecules that could be used as specific biomarkers, I found many of them yield mocule plumbagin that have studied as a potential anticancer agent. That lead me to further expanded my research into examine plumbagin and other molules, with a new technology, T-Hertz Spectrascopy, and ended with several publications.

-2010 Weining Wang, Xiang Luo, Xiaoni Zeng, Yingying Zheng, and Hongqi Li. Terahertz and Infrared Spectra of Plumbagin, Juglone, and Menadione. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 39: 82-88.

-2009 Weining Wang, Hongqi Li, Yan Zhang, Cun-Lin Zhang. Correlations between Terahertz Spectra and Molecular Structures of 20 Standard -Amino Acids. Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin., 25(10): 2074-2079.

-2008 Weining Wang, Hongqi Li, Xiang Luo, and Xiaoni Zeng. THz Spectra of 1,4-Naphthoquinones and its Four Derivatives. Terehertz Photonics, edited by Cunlin Zhang, Xi-Cheng Zhang, Proc. Of SPIE Vol. 6840, 684000 (2007).

Therefore, I study not only fossil plants, but also modern plants. In particular, when I cannot find some morphology/anatomy of a modern plant from literature, I will dissect the plant and use my own observation to clarify some characteristics in related fossil plants. For example, when I study the earliest, anatomically preserved fossil cycad, I dissected living cycad material to obtain a comprehensive understanding of anatomy of cycads. These studies may lead to important discoveries to clarify some evolutionary problems.

-Hongqi Li, Jianglin Chang, Bao-lin Tian, and David W. Taylor. The oldest cycad stem, a Permian fossil from China. International Journal of Plant Sciences (completing).

Recent Grants:

-2010 Assigned Time Grant releasing teaching time for organizing the 27th Midcontinent Paleobotany Colloquium, awarded by FSU.

-2006 Assigned Time Grant releasing teaching time from Biol 109 in the spring for organizing the 6th Conference of International Carnivorous Plant Society, awarded by FSU.

-2005 Undergraduate student research grant for advising undergraduate student research projects, $2,500 (total $4,000) awarded by FSU.

-2004 Conference Presentation Grant for Presentation "Morphology and Biogeochemistry of Possible Fossil Pitcher Plants from the Early Cretaceous, China" at The Fifth Conference of International Carnivorous Plants Society, Lyon, France, $1,000 awarded by FSU.

-2002, "Tracing the origin of angiosperms through investigating fossil molecule oleanane from fossil plants," $35,000, awarded by Petroleum Research Fund (PRF), American Chemical Society (ACS).

-2002, Match-up grant for "Tracing the origin of angiosperms through investigating fossil molecule oleanane from fossil plants in China," ¥100,000 (˜$12,000), awarded by National Petroleum Corporation of China.

-2001 Faculty Development Grant for project "Visiting China and follow up working on Campus for both research and teaching," $2,250, awarded by Frostburg State University.

-2000 Research grant for cooperative projects on studies of Paleozoic fossil plants, ¥25,000 (˜$3,000), awarded by Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology.

Dr. Kumudini A. Munasinghe

Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator

Office: Compton Science Center 203
Telephone: 301-687-4299
Email: kamunasinghe@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M.S. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
B.S. (Honors) University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Microbiology, Medical Microbiology

Research Interest:

As a researcher, I am interested in studying pathogenicity, antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of clinically important bacteria to understand their natural ability of transferring extrachromosomal genetic elements. My research findings will help us to understand large-scale questions about bacterial mutations and multidrug resistance of the fast-emerging bacteria. I work on real time PCR products and analyze them by agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA Sequencing in which amplification of DNA is performed using the Dideoxynucleotide method with an AmpliTAQ FS Big Dye Terminator cycle sequencing kit and ABI Prism 310 genetic analyzer. Phylogenetic trees are constructed based on maximum likelihood, and the GenBank database with BLAST is used to identify phylogenetically close relatives of isolated bacteria.

Dr. David Puthoff

Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 212
Telephone: 301-687-4172
Email: dpputhoff@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. University of California, Riverside
B.S. The Ohio State University

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

General Biology, Plant Physiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Genetics Laboratory, Molecular Biology, Seminar in Biology

Research Projects Highlights:

Most recently my research has moved to the genetic and chemical profiling of hemp (Cannabis sativa). A great team of undergraduate students and I are cataloging microsatellite profiles of hemp varieties along with correlating those to CBD, THC, terpene and other cannabinoid levels. In addition to hemp, my research also focuses on plant interactions with their pathogens with a special focus on the interactions with insect pests. One specific plant pest that is of interest is whiteflies. These phloem feeding insects remove photoassimilates along with vectoring viruses. The long-term goal of experiments will be to breed and create plant germplasm that is resistant to or tolerant of these devastating pests.
Selected Recent Publications:
Chen, Xiao-yan; Deng, Hua; Heise, Janai; Puthoff , David; Bou-Abboud , Nabeel; Yu, Hongtao; Peng, Jiangnan. (submitted 2021) Contents of Cannabinoids in Hemp Varieties Grown in Maryland. ACS Omega

Talley EM, Watts CT, Aboyer S, . . . Puthoff DP, et al. (2021). Genetic mapping and phenotypic analysis of shotH.3.2 in Drosophila melanogaster. MicroPubl Biol. Published 2021 Jul 13. doi:10.17912/micropub.biology.000418. *Multiple Undergraduate Researchers included on this publication.

*DeCapite, A., *Lancaster, T. and Puthoff, D.P. (2016). Salicylic acid treatment increases the levels of triterpene glycosides in Black cohossh (Actaea racemosa) rhizomes. Journal of Chemical Ecology 42:13-16.

Vickers, A., Brosi, S.L., Howell, J., Kaur, B., Puthoff, D.P. and Eisenstein, E. (2015) Ecological and Chemotypic Analysis for Improved Growth and Management of Naturally Occurring Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) Populations in Western Maryland. American Journal of Plant Sciences 6:3272-3281.

Lennon, K.A. and Puthoff, D.P. (2013). Take-home active learning exercises may result in learning gains equivalent to in-class active learning, with both superior to traditional, low- structured lecture in Introductory Biology. J. Microbiology and Bio. Education DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v14i1.588

*Bowman, M. and Puthoff, D.P (2012) 3 sequences from Brassica rapa were published to GenBank Accession numbers: JX000229.1, JX000230.1, JX000231.1

Puthoff, D.P., Holzer, F., Perring, T. and Walling, L.L. (2010). Tomato Pathogenesis-related Protein Genes are Expressed in Response to Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci Biotype B Feeding. J. Chemical Ecology 36(11):1271-85.

Puthoff, D.P., Neelam, A., Ehrenfried, M.L., Scheffler, B.E., Ballard, L., Song, Q., Campbell, K.B., Cooper, B., and Tucker, M.T. (2008). Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Uromyces appendiculatus hyphae and haustoria and their comparison to sequences from other rust fungi. Mycology. 98(10):1126-1135.

Smigocki, A., Ivic-Haymes, S., Puthoff, D.P. and Zuzga, S. (2008). Recent advances in functional genomics for sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) improvement: progress in determining the role of BvSTI in pest resistance in roots. Sugar Tech 10(1): 91-98.

Puthoff, D.P., Ehrenfried, M.L., Vinyard, B.T. and Tucker, M.L. (2007). GeneChip profiling of transcriptional responses to soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, colonization of soybean roots J. Exp. Bot. 58(12): 3407-3418.

*denotes undergraduate researcher

Dr. Richard Raesly

Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 302
Telephone: 301-687-4713
Email: rraesly@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
M.S. Frostburg State University
B.S. Albright College

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Ichthyology, Fish Management and Culture, Evolution, Scientific Communication and Investigation, Human Biology and the Environment, Animal Ecology

Research Interest:

Ecology and evolution of introduced species; evolution and systematics of freshwater fishes; biology of endangered species; stream ecology.

Dr. Thomas Serfass

Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 210
Telephone: 301-687-4171
Email: tserfass@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Pennsylvania State University. 1994

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Wildlife Techniques; Ecology and Management of Wildlife Populations; Mammalogy; and Conservation Biology and Reserve Design.

Research:

A large portion of Dr. Serfass's research and conservation activities have focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of wildlife restoration programs and recovering wildlife populations—particularly mesocarnioves. Tom conceived and coordinated the successful Pennsylvania River Otter (Lontra canadensis) and Fisher (Martes pennanti) Reintroduction Projects, and has authored over 40 journal, proceedings, popular articles, and book chapters dealing specifically about river otters, fishers, and wildlife reintroductions. During the past 14 years Tom has mentored the completion of 38 MS and PhD students, conducting research ranging from evaluating the fates of river otters reintroduced in western New York to assessing the natural history and conservation value (potential as flagship species) of spotted-necked otters (Lutra maculicollis) and other wildlife at Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Tom is the North American Coordinator of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ Otter Specialist Group.

Note: Tom is not currently accepting new graduate students except for those with an international research interest in carnivore conservation and having funding to support those interests.

Publications (2011 - present):

Serfass, T. L., J. A. Bohrman, S. S. Stevens, and J. T. Bruskotter. 2014. Otters and anglers can share the stream! The role of social science in dissuading negative messaging about reintroduced predators. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 19:532-544.

Peper, S. T., R. L. Peper, G. V Kollias, R. P. Brooks, S. S Stevens, and T. L. Serfass. 2014. Efficacy of two canine distemper vaccines in wild river otters (Lontra canadensis). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 45:520-526.

Keller, L. K., R. S. Fritz, C. M. Zoubek, E. H. Kennedy, K. A. Cronin, and T. L. Serfass. 2014. Effects of transport on fecal glucocorticoid levels in captive-bred cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (in press).

Reed-Smith, J, T. Serfass, T. Kihudu, and M. Mussa. 2014. Preliminary report on the behavior of spotted-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis, Lichtenstein, 1835) living in a lentic ecosystem. Zoo Biology (in press).

Jessica R. Brandt, J. R., A. L. Brandt, F. K. Ammer, A. L. Roca, and T. L. Serfass. 2014. Impact of Population Expansion on Genetic Diversity and Structure of River Otters (Lontra canadensis) in Central North America Journal of Heredity 105:39-47.

Stevens, S.S., B. Amulike, S. Ndaga, J. F. Organ, and T. L. Serfass. 2014. The confusion of common names: a wildlife-specific methodological challenge in cross-cultural research. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 19:191-199.

Amulike, B., S. S. Stevens, and T. L. Serfass. 2013. Enhancing tourist opportunities to view spotted-necked otters (Lutra maculicollis) at Rubondo Island National Park: can the apriori location of latrines simplify identifying best viewing areas? African Journal of Ecology 51:609-617.

Brooks, R.P, and T.L. Serfass. 2013. Wetland-riparian wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Pages 259-268 in R.P. Brooks, and .D.H. Wardrop, Editors. Mid-Atlantic freshwater wetlands: advances in wetlands science, management, policy, and practice. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., New York, New York, USA.

Loughry, S. C., M. D. Triska, D. M. Fecske, and T. L. Serfass. 2012. A direct comparison of enclosed-track plates and remote cameras in detecting fishers in North Dakota. Canadian Field-Naturalist126:281-287.

Just, E. H., S. S. Stevens, R. M. Spinola, and T. L. Serfass. 2012. Detecting river otter latrines near bridges: does habitat and season influence survey success? Wildlife Biology 3:264-271.

Serfass, T. L., and S. S. Stevens. 2012. Book review: human impacts on seals, sea lions, and sea otters: integrating archaeology and ecology in the northeast Pacific. The Quarterly Review of Biology 87:285.

Bagherian, A. J., D. M. Fecske, M. D. Triska, J. A. Bishop, D. J. Berezanski, S. K. Johnson, R. P. Brooks, and T. L. Serfass. 2012. Evidence of American Martens Populating the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota. The Prairie Naturalist 44:10-16.

Bohrman, J. A., S. S. Stevens, and T. L.Serfass. 2012. Long-term survival and reproduction in a river otter (Lontra canadensis) with an intraperitoneal radio-transmitter. Canadian Field-Naturalist:125:252-254.

Brooks, R. P., T. L. Serfass, M. Triska, and L. M. Rebelo. 2011. Ramsar Protected Wetlands of International Importance as Habitats for Otters. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 29:47-63.

Hanley, Z., and T. L. Serfass. 2011. Distribution and detection rates of a reintroduced fisher population in western Maryland. Martes Working Group Newsletter 18(1):25-27.

Stearns, C. R., and T. L. Serfass. 2011. The use of scales to estimate the size of the fish prey of river otters (Lontra canadensis) and other piscivores. American Midland Naturalist 166:163-176.

Stearns, C. R., and T.L. Serfass. 2011. Food habits and fish prey size selection of a newly colonizing population of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in eastern North Dakota. American Midland Naturalist 165:169–184.

Stevens, S. S., E. H. Just, R. C. Cordes, R. P. Brooks, T. L. Serfass. 2011. The influence of habitat quality on the detection of river otter (Lontra canadensis) latrines near bridges. American Midland Naturalist 166:435-445.

Stevens, S. S, J. F. Organ, and T. L. Serfass. 2011. Otters as flagships: social and cultural considerations. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 28:150-161.

Triska, M. D., S. C. Loughry, and T. L. Serfass. 2011. Persistence of fishers in riparian forests in North Dakota, USA following a severe flood event. Acat Theriologica 56:367–374.

Triska, M. D., S. C. Loughry, and T. L. Serfass. 2011. River otters use agricultural field along the Turtle River in eastern North Dakota as crossover and latrine area. The Prairie Naturalist 43(1/2):52-55.

Dr. Kate Sheehan

Assistant Professor

Office: Compton Science Center 314
Telephone: 301-687-4306
Email: klsheehan@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D. Clemson University - Wildlife & Fisheries Biology
M.S. University of South Alabama - Marine Science
B.S. University of South Alabama - Biology

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

General Ecology, Disease Ecology, Entomology, Limnology, Invertebrate Zoology

Research Interest:

Ecological parasitology, plastics ecology, and their interactions in natural systems. I am interested in understanding the roles that both parasites and plastic pollution play in shaping the trophic relationships of organisms in freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. Much of the research I conduct is collaborative in nature, and employs sophisticated taxonomic, biochemical, and spatio-statistical methods to learn about the ways that our planet is changing. I often work on avian-parasite systems, with particular emphasis on waterbirds that live in freshwater, coastal, and pelagic systems.

Selected Publications:

Sheehan, K.L., S. Barber, R.F. Hechinger, B.S. Dorr, D. Causey. 2024. Chapter 10: Trophically transmitted parasites and their responses to pathogens and consumed plastic contaminants (Internet) Intestinal Parasites - New Developments in Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Future Directions. IntecOpen doi: 10.5772/intechopen.1005786

McHale, M.E., K.L. Sheehan. 2024. Bioaccumulation, transfer, and impacts of microplastics in aquatic food chains. Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment 3:15 doi: 10.20517/jeea.2023.49

Sheehan, K.L., P. Lawson, B. Emerson. 2022. Fate of plastics in cattle digestive systems. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 28(4):1-10 doi:10.13031/jash.14991

Sheehan, K.L., B.D. Dorr, S, Clements, T. Christie, K. Hanson-Dorr, S.A. Rush, B. Davis. 2022. Predicting consistent foraging ecologies of migrating waterbirds: Using stable isotope and parasite measurements as indicators of landscape use. Ecological Indicators S1470- 160X(22)00509-109038. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109038

Selected Presentations:

Sheehan, K.L., M.E. McHale. 2024. Plastic pollution disrupts primary production and trophic interactions in aquatic food chains. Annual Conference Mid-Atlantic Chapter Ecological Society of America. Kutztown, PA.

Sheehan, K.L. 2024. Warm and cold: seasonal flux of a parasite population in a subarctic lake. The joint meeting of the Helminthological Society of Washington and the Southeastern Society of Parasitologists. Lexington, VA.

Sheehan, K.L., D. Causey, V. Padula. 2023. Parasite infections and microplastic consumption by seabirds from Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Alaska Bird Conference, Anchorage, AK.

Sheehan, K.L. 2023. When you land in the wrong place: seabird parasite infection dynamics in other waterbird hosts. Pacific Seabirds Group, La Jolla, CA.

Sheehan, K.L., D. Causey, A. Kemp. 2022. Free Bird Worms! Waterbirds Society Annual Meeting, Corpus Christi, TX.

Sheehan, K.L., M.E. McHale. 2022. Creating an Avian Botulism Disease Model for Michigan. Waterbirds Society Annual Meeting, Corpus Christi, TX

Clara Thiel

Lecturer

Office: Compton Science Center 202
Email: crthiel@frostburg.edu

Degrees:

M.S. Frostburg State University, Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology
B.S. James Madison University, Biology

Additional Information

Courses Taught:

Dendrology, Plant Taxonomy, Economic Botany, Scientific Investigation and Communication

Research:

My current research focuses on rare plants and ecosystems throughout Appalachia and the mid-Atlantic region. I have strong interests in the biogeography and evolutionary ecology of insular ecosystems and endemic plant species, as well as the resilience of these biodiversity hotspots towards anthropogenic impacts, shifts in disturbance regime, and climate change.