The Department of Biology at the University of South Dakota (http://www.usd.edu/biol/biology.cfm) is accepting applications from potential M.S. or Ph.D. students for Fall 2009. Several faculty members conduct research in areas of ecology and conservation biology, with a particular emphasis on aquatic and riparian systems and their biota:
Dr. Daniel Soluk ([email protected]) Dr. Soluk's research involves population, community, and behavioral ecology of aquatic organisms. He is currently conducting research on the conservation of endangered aquatic organisms (dragonflies) and ecosystems (Large Floodplain Rivers). For more information or to contact Dr. Soluk directly see: http://www.usd.edu/biol/faculty/Dan%20Soluk_files/DanSoluk.htm Dr. Jacob Kerby ([email protected]) Dr. Kerby's research focuses on the ecological impacts of both contaminants and disease on amphibians. Recently, he received funding to determine the prevalence of a chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatitis) in amphibians found throughout the Midwest. In addition, he is interested in how pesticides impact amphibians and in particular might alter their susceptibility to disease. For more information or to contact him directly, see his website: www.usd.edu/~Jacob.Kerby Dr. Mark Dixon ([email protected]) Dr. Dixon is a landscape ecologist who studies the drivers of vegetation and land cover change in riparian landscapes, with a particular focus on floodplain forests and their biota. Current interests/projects include: § Effects of flow regulation on landscape dynamics, vegetation, and forest songbirds along the Missouri River § Mapping and classification of riparian plant communities along the Big Sioux River § Ecosystem services and responses to climate change within riparian areas in the desert Southwest For more information, contact Dr. Dixon or see: http://www.usd.edu/biol/faculty/Mark%20Dixon/mark_d.htm Dr. David Swanson ([email protected]) Dr. Swanson's research interests are broadly based in the areas of ecological physiology, the evolution of physiological adaptation in animals (particularly vertebrates), and ornithology. With specific research foci including adaptation to cold in birds, freezing tolerance and overwintering strategies in amphibians, and woodland and wetland habitat use by migrating and breeding birds in the northern prairie region. Research includes ecological (field oriented), organismal, biochemical and molecular approaches. For more information, contact Dr. Swanson or see: http://www.usd.edu/biol/faculty/swanson/index.html All of these faculty members are accepting students for Fall 2009. Please contact them individually if interested. For more information on the graduate program, see http://usd.edu/biol/graduateprogram.cfm. The deadline for applying for fall admission is March 1, 2009. Mark D. Dixon Assistant Professor Department of Biology University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 Phone: (605) 677-6567 Fax: (605) 677-6557 Email: [email protected]
