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ecology

Ecology
M.S., M.P.S. & Ph.D.

This integrative study area allows students to investigate the relationships of organisms to their environment and those factors that affect their distribution and abundance. Both the practical and theoretical applications of ecology are emphasized through courses and research. There are four major areas in ecology: organismal ecology, population-evolutionary ecology, community ecology and systems ecology. In consultation with the student’s steering committee, courses are chosen from these areas, as well as other disciplines. Specific research may encompass any of the four major areas of ecology and entail the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, community structure including trophic relationships, diversity, succession and ecosystem properties, such as patterns of energy transfer and biogeochemical cycling.

Participating Faculty

Current Graduate Students in Ecology

Current Students

Only currently registered students appear—new student names are added at the start of the academic year.

Juan Carlos Alvarez YepizJuan Carlos Alvarez Yepiz
jualvare@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Dovciak

Graduate Research Topic
“Mechanisms of persistence and coexistence of the rare cycad Dioon sonorense in Mexico”

Home Page
https://sites.google.com/site/jualvare10/

Sample publication
Álvarez-Yépiz, J.C., Dovčiak, M., and Búrquez, A. 2011. Persistence of a rare ancient cycad: effects of environment and demography. Biological Conservation 144:122-130.

Ceili BachmanCeili Bachman
cebachma@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Mitchell and Schulz

Daniele BakerDaniele Baker
dmbake01@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Mitchell and Schulz

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Baker.htm

Keith BowmanKeith Bowman
kcbowman@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Kimmerer

Previous Graduate Study: University of Tennessee Knoxville* (Botany )

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Bowman.htm

Julia BraunmuellerJulia Braunmueller
jbbraunm@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MPS
Advisor(s): Shields
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY ESF (Environmental Science)

Thomas BrumbelowThomas Brumbelow
trbrumbe@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Leopold
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY College Oswego (Biology)

Shannon BuckleyShannon Buckley
shbuckle@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Mitchell

Previous Graduate Study: Columbia U Sch General Studies (Climate and Society )

Graduate Research Topic
Spatial and temporal variations of urban carbon dioxide concentrations

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Buckley.htm

Matthew BuffMatthew Buff
mfbuff@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Leopold

Keith CardinaliKeith Cardinali
kwcardin@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MPS
Advisor(s): Dovciak
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY College Oswego

Graduate Research Topic
Wetlands Ecology

Favorite Quote
“Hope and the future for me are not in lawns and cultivated fields, not in towns and cities, but in the impervious and quaking swamps” - Henry David Thoreau

Kean CliffordKean Clifford
kmcliffo@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Stewart

Derek CraneDerek Crane
dpcrane@syr.edu

EFB Fish & Wildlife Biology & Mgt

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Farrell
Undergraduate Institute: Lycoming College (Biology)

Previous Graduate Study: University of Michigan

Graduate Research Topic
My research at SUNY-ESF focuses on ecology and restoration of critical spawning habitat for coolwater fish. Specifically, I am investigating; 1) how substrate size and shape influence walleye egg retention under different flow regimes in a laboratory setting; 2) how siltation of spawning substrates influences walleye egg adhesiveness; 3) biological and physical habitat characteristics at muskellunge spawning sites in the Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor.

Peer-Reviewed Publications
Crane, D.P., Johengen, T.H. & J.D. Allan, 2011. Assessment of quantitative food web metrics for investigating the influence of land use on warm water fish diets. Hydrobiologia. 664: 1-15.

Allison DevlinAllison Devlin
aldevlin@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Frair
Undergraduate Institute: Cornell University (Animal Sciences)

Previous Graduate Study: Columbia U Sch General Studies (Cons Bio )

My Background
I grew up watching documentaries on big cats, and cultivated my passion by reading any felid books I could find. I was first attracted to their form and, as my perception of the world matured, so too did my understanding of the ecological and cultural importance of predators. I'm thrilled to begin my first long-term project on felids.

Jaguar Population Biology
Conduct demographic and genetic data collection on jaguar (Panthera onca) in the Brazilian Pantanal. Collaborations include: SUNY ESF; Panthera; and ICMBio (Chico Mendez Institute of the Conservation of Biodiversity). Specifically within ICMBio, close collaboration with CENAP (National Center for the Conservation of Natural Predators).

Stephanie FigaryStephanie Figary
sefigary@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Schulz
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY College Brockport (Environmental Science)

Graduate Research Topic
Investigating the impacts of an invasive zooplankton, Cercopagis pengoi, on the food webs of all of the New York Finger Lakes.

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Figary.htm

Concurrent Degree
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship, Master of Public Administration

David GeliebterDavid Geliebter
dmgelieb@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Leopold

Kalie GerenserKalie Gerenser
kagerens@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Fierke
Undergraduate Institute: Rochester Institute of Technol (Environmental Science)

Graduate Research Topic
I am working on assessing the potential impacts of the invasive emerald ash borer beetle on plant community and biomass dynamics in mid-successional ash forests in NY great lakes basin state parks.

Jacob GilletteJacob Gillette
jpgillet@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Schulz

Graduate Research Topic
My thesis research is focused on quantifying the role that mixotrophic algae play in freshwater pelagic food webs. Mixotrophs, which are algae that combine photosynthetic production with heterotrophic consumption, are currently well identified in the literature, but their effects on both primary production and trophic transfer rate estimations are largely unknown. Utilizing stable isotopic tracers in conjunction with lab and field experimentation, I am developing a framework with which to address these questions for the first time.

Home Page
Web Link

Suzanne GreenlawSuzanne Greenlaw
segreenl@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Kimmerer
Undergraduate Institute: University of Maine Presque Isle (Environmental Science)

Lewis GroveLewis Grove
legrove@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Underwood
Undergraduate Institute: Pennsylvania St University of University of Park (Ecology)

Graduate Research Topic
Inter-specific communication, information exchange and implications for bioacoustic monitoring of nocturnal songbird migration

Home Page
Web Link

Daniel GurdakDaniel Gurdak
djgurdak@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Stewart
Undergraduate Institute: Herbert H Lehman College (Biology)

Previous Graduate Study: University of Oxford (Environmental Sci )

Links:
-Personal Web Page

-Connect: LinkedIn

-Friend: Facebook

-Follow Blog: A Walk in the Várzea

Doctoral Research Brief:
My research focuses on the ecology, conservation, and management of Amazonian arapaima, among the largest freshwater fish species in the world (More Information).

Research Key Words:
conservation biology, tropics, freshwater fish ecology, protected areas [and beyond], carbon, flagship, diversity

Alison HalpernAlison Halpern
adhalper@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Leopold and Farrell
Undergraduate Institute: Indiana University of Bloomington* (ORGANISMAL BIO)

Previous Graduate Study: ( )

Jason HamidiJason Hamidi
jhamidi@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): McGrath
Undergraduate Institute: Rollins College Winter Park (Biology)

Graduate Research Topic
hyporheic macroinvertebrates associated with stream restoration structures

Favorite Quote
Wow, look at the grass stains on my skin. I say, if your knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life. - Calvin and Hobbes

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Hamidi.htm

John HartiganJohn Hartigan
jjhartig@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Shields
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY ESF (Biology)

Jeremy HaywardJeremy Hayward
jhayward@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Horton
Undergraduate Institute: Carleton College (Biology)

Kyle HodgsonKyle Hodgson
khhodgso@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): McGrath

Elisabeth HolmesElisabeth Holmes
egholmes@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MPS
Advisor(s): Horton
Undergraduate Institute: Alfred University (Fine Arts)

Bettyjo JivoffBettyjo Jivoff
bjivoff@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Leopold

Stephanie JohnsonStephanie Johnson
sljohn06@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Ringler
Undergraduate Institute: Russell Sage College (Environ Sci)

Previous Graduate Study: SUNY ESF (Ecology )

Graduate Research Topic
Freshwater ecology, with a focus on aquatic macroinvertebrate community structure and food web dynamics in the Onondaga Lake Watershed.

James JohnsonJames Johnson
jkjohn03@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Leopold

Favorite Quote
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

My photo album!
Web Link

Meredtih KaneMeredtih Kane
mlkane@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Kimmerer
Undergraduate Institute: St Lawrence University (Biology)

Phil-Goo KangPhil-Goo Kang
pkang01@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Mitchell

Previous Graduate Study: Kangwon National University (Water Pollution )

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Kang.htm

Georgia KeeneGeorgia Keene
grkeene@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Parry
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY College Oswego (Zoology)

Lucas KirbyLucas Kirby
lkirby@syr.edu

EFB Fish & Wildlife Biology & Mgt

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Ringler

Previous Graduate Study: SUNY ESF ( )

Graduate Research Topic
I am currently looking at the structuring role of aquatic macrophytes on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in Onondaga Lake, Syracuse, NY. I am also evaluating the colonization potential of macroinvertebrates from connected waterbodies into Onondaga Lake.

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Kirby.htm

Stefanie KrollStefanie Kroll
sakroll@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Ringler
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY ESF (Biology)

Previous Graduate Study: University of CastillaLaMancha (Agricultural Enginee)

Graduate Research Topic
My work is focused on assessing human impacts to the Segura River Basin in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. This watershed is located in a Mediterranean climate and is subjected to pressures from land use and flow regulation. It is the receiving watershed of the Tajo-Segura Transfer, the largest inter-basin water transfer in Spain. More specifically, the study includes the use of traits to study the macroinvertebrate community, stable isotope analysis and projected ecosystem changes due to climate change.

Publications
The influence of land use on water quality and macroinvertebrate biotic indices in rivers within Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)

Catherine LandisCatherine Landis
cllandis@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Leopold and Kimmerer,r
Undergraduate Institute: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (ENGLISH)

Previous Graduate Study: SUNY ESF (Environ Science )

Stephen LangdonStephen Langdon
sflangdo@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Dovciak
Undergraduate Institute: Plattsburgh State University (Ecology)

Jill MandelJill Mandel
jkmandel@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Limburg and Shields
Undergraduate Institute: Long Island University of Southampton (Marine Biology)

Kapil MandrekarKapil Mandrekar
kmandrek@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Stewart
Undergraduate Institute: Albion College (Biology)

Previous Graduate Study: Arkansas State University of St Univ (Biology )

Andrew MillerAndrew Miller
admill05@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Ringler
Undergraduate Institute: Ursinus College (German/Biology)

Graduate Research Topic
My research focuses on the role of out-migrating juvenile Chinook salmon in the food web of the lower Salmon River, New York, and the implications of this predation pressure on salmon recruitment.

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Miller.htm

Matthew ReganMatthew Regan
mjrega01@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Leopold

Anna StewartAnna Stewart
amstew01@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Hall
Undergraduate Institute: Syracuse University (Environmental Science)

Links
Web Link

Personal Statement
I am a concurrent Ph. D. candidate at SUNY ESF and Masters of Public Administration student at Syracuse University. I am broadly interested in the application of ecological research to issues of human development in the tropics. For my dissertation research I am studying social and climatic risk factors for denque fever transmission in Ecuador. Dengue is an emerging infectious disease transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. From 2010-2011 I will be in Ecuador conducting field research in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia en Hidrologia (INAMHI).

Graduate Research Topic
A socio-ecological analysis of risk factors for dengue fever transmission in coastal Ecuador

Favorite Quote
Herman Daly: "It is better to deal incompletely with the whole than to deal wholly with the incomplete"

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Stewart.htm

Samuel TourtellotSamuel Tourtellot
sgtourte@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Horton
Undergraduate Institute: Michigan State University (Forestry and Related)

Rebecca WallingRebecca Walling
rwalling@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Horton

Jay WasonJay Wason
jwwasoni@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Dovciak
Undergraduate Institute: University of Pittsburgh

Graduate Research Topic
Climatic controls of the northern-hardwood to boreal forest ecotone in the Adirondack Mountains of New York

Home Page
Web Link

Brigham WhitmanBrigham Whitman
bjwhitma@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Porter

Home Page
http://www.esf.edu/efb/grad/Whitman.htm

Cheryl WhritenourCheryl Whritenour
cawhrite@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Schulz
Undergraduate Institute: SUNY ESF (EFB)

Previous Graduate Study: SUNY ESF (Ecology )

John WileyJohn Wiley
jwileyjr@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: PHD
Advisor(s): Beier and McGee
Undergraduate Institute: Hanover College (Biology)

Previous Graduate Study: Ohio University (Plant Biology/Forest)

Graduate Research Topic
Secondary successional processes and habitat trends based on chronosequential decomposition of LiDAR-derived vegetation height profiles in relation to edaphic and climatic gradients across the landscape.

Jennifer YantachkaJennifer Yantachka
jeyantac@syr.edu

Ecology

Degree Sought: MS
Advisor(s): Beier
Undergraduate Institute: Cornell University (Biological Sciences)

Graduate Research Topic
One of the ways acid deposition affects biota is through the leaching of soil calcium. Snails are sensitive to calcium availability and are a major source of supplementary calcium for breeding songbirds. I am studying songbird abundance and diversity along calcium gradients in the Adirondack Mountains to understand how acidification is influencing songbird populations.


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