CURRICULUM VITAE

PUBLICATIONS

Kristen J. Epp & Caitlin R. Gabor. 2008. Innate and learned predator recognition mediated by chemical signals in Eurycea nana. Ethology 114(6): 607-615. (pdf)

Kristen J. Epp & Joseph N. Fries. 2005. Salamanders may need to learn “friend or foe”. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Currents, 1:3, pp. 5.

Kristen J. Epp. 2001. The extinction of biological diversity. The Best of ESU: An Anthology of Undergraduate Essays.

RESEARCH GRANTS RECEIVED

2005:	Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research	$ 300
	“Predator recognition in Eurycea nana: learned or inherited?”

SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS RECEIVED

2008:	W.E. (Henry) Norris, Jr. Scholarship. Texas State University.	$ 1,000
2008:	Gwen S. Durrenberger Endowment for Women in Science. Texas State University.	$ 4,000
2008:	Associated Student Government Scholarship. Texas State University.	$ 2,000
2007:	Associated Student Government Scholarship. Texas State University.	$ 1,000
2007:	Texas State College of Science Graduate Scholarship. Texas State University.	$ 2,500
2005-2008:	Graduate Student Travel Award. Texas State University.	$ 1,850
2006:	Gwen S. Durrenberger Endowment for Women in Science. Texas State University.	$ 6,000
1999:	Presidential Scholarship. Emporia State University.	$ 1,800

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2005-08: Dissertation Research. Texas State University, Department of Biology and the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center. San Marcos, TX. Dr. Caitlin Gabor and Joe Fries, Supervisors.

2004-05: Thesis Research. Texas State University, Department of Biology and the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center, San Marcos, TX. Dr. Caitlin Gabor and Joe Fries, Supervisors.

2005: Research Assistantship The importance of chemical cues in a unisexual-bisexual fish system. Texas State University, Department of Biology. San Marcos, TX. Dr. Caitlin Gabor and Dr. Andrea Aspbury, Supervisors.

2004: Mexican Tropical Field Ecology Research. Emporia State University, Department of Biology and San Blas Field Site. Emporia, KS and San Blas, Mexico. Dr. Dwight Moore and Dr. Derek Zelmer, Instructors.

2003: Tropical Reef Ecology Research. Emporia State University, Department of Biology and Gerace Research Center. Emporia, KS and San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Dr. Dwight Moore and Dr. Derek Zelmer, Instructors.

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

2008: K.J. Epp and C.R. Gabor. The influence of predator diet cues on innate avoidance responses of Eurycea nana. Evolution 2008, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2007: K.J. Epp and C.R. Gabor. Experience affects avoidance of native and nonnative predators by Eurycea nana. Texas Herpetological Society Symposium “Texas Salamanders”, Austin, Texas.

2007: K.J. Epp and C.R. Gabor. Experience alters avoidance of predators in Eurycea nana. Animal Behavior Society 44^th Meeting, Burlington, Vermont.

2007: K.J. Epp. “Behavioral responses of predator-naïve and predator-experienced salamanders to native and non-native predators’ chemical cues.” 12^th Annual Biology Student Colloquium, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2006: K.J. Epp & C. R. Gabor. “Behavioral responses of naïve vs. experienced salamanders to native vs. non-native predators chemical cues.” 11th International Behavioral Ecology Congress, Tours, France.

2006: K.J. Epp. “Differential behavioral response of an endemic salamander, Eurycea nana, to native vs. non-native predators’ chemical cues.” Meeting of Behavioral Ecologists, Lake Texoma, Oklahoma.

2006: K.J. Epp. “Differential behavioral response of Eurycea nana to native vs. non-native predators’ chemical cues.” 11^th Annual Biology Student Colloquium, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2005: K.J. Epp & C. R. Gabor. “Differential behavioral response of Eurycea nana to native vs. non-native predators’ chemical cues.” Animal Behavior Society 42^nd Meeting, Snowbird, Utah.

INVITED TALKS

2007: K.J. Epp. Do you ever get the feeling you’re about to be eaten? Recognition and avoidance of nonnative predators by native salamanders. Mitte Honors Research Conference & Symposium on Water, Texas State University-San Marcos.

HONORS RECEIVED

2008: Academic Achievement Award. Dept. of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2007: Runner-Up Outstanding Graduate Student Presentation. 12^th Annual Biology Student Colloquium. Dept. of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2007: Academic Achievement Award. Dept. of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2007: Brightest Star Award. Texas State University-San Marcos.

2006: Academic Achievement Award. Dept. of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2005: Academic Achievement Award. Dept. of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos.

2001: Presidential Honors Breakfast. “Recognition for outstanding academic achievement and accomplishments in research or service to the Department of Biological Sciences and Emporia State University.” Dept. of Biological Sciences, Emporia State University.

2000: Honor Roll. Emporia State University, Emporia, KS.

1999: Honor Roll. Emporia State University, Emporia, KS.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

2008-09: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GK-12 FELLOW: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

2007-08: Statistics & Experimental Design in Aquatic Resources I (BIO 7405) Instructional Assistant (IA): Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

· Administering lectures on advanced statistical concepts and the use and implementation of the statistical program “R”

· Assisting students with advanced statistical concepts

· Grading and correcting assignments

2007-08: Statistics & Experimental Design in Aquatic Resources II (BIO 7406) IA: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

· Assisting students with advanced statistical concepts

· Grading and correcting assignments

2005-08: Organismal Biology (BIO 1431) IA: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

· Formulation and presentation of laboratory lectures, creation and execution of weekly quizzes, grading and correction of weekly assignments, instruction on research and scientific writing, and grading of experimental research papers.

· Laboratory prep. organization and co-leadership of weekly instructor meetings, preparation of instructors’ presentation slides, creation and distribution of homework answer keys, preparation and maintenance of laboratory supplies and animals (fish: Poecilia reticulata), and guidance and assistance of laboratory instructors.

2004: Modern Biology II (BIO 1421) Instructional Assistant: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

· Formulation and presentation of laboratory lectures, creation and execution of weekly quizzes, supervision and guidance during laboratory exercises, creation, administration, and grading of laboratory exams.

GUEST LECTURES

2007: Conservation and Aquatic Systems: Recognition and Avoidance of Nonnative Predators by Native Salamanders: Organismal Biology Lecture: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

2006: Evidence For Evolution: Organismal Biology Lecture: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

2005: Territoriality: Animal Behavior: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

2005: The Evolution of The Use of Chemical Cues: Evolution: Dept. of Biology, Texas State University.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

2008-Present: Southwestern Association of Naturalists

2007-Present: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

2006-Present: International Society of Behavioral Ecologists

2006-Present: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

2005-Present: Animal Behavior Society

2005-Present: Texas Herpetological Society

EXTRA-CURRICULAR PARTICIPATION

2004-Present: Texas State Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior Discussion Group

2005-Present: Texas State Biology Graduate Student Organization

2005-2006: Texas State Biology Graduate Committee

STUDENTS SUPERVISED

2008-Present: Nicholas Bertrand, undergraduate research on cannibalism and predation on juveniles in the Poecilia latipinna – P. formosa unisexual-bisexual species complex.

2007-Present: Reynaldo Gonzales, undergraduate research on predator recognition in Eurycea nana and mate selection in E. rathbuni.

2007: Elizabeth Vanderwerken, undergraduate research on predator recognition in Eurycea nana.

2005: Bobby Schreiber, undergraduate research on a unisexual-bisexual fish system.

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

2007: Presenter: Women in Science Seminar, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas.

2005-2006: Doctoral student graduate committee representative: Department of Biology, Texas State University.

2004: Active participant: Collaborative science day event for 7^th and 8^th grade students between Emporia State University, College of Science faculty and Emporia Middle School science faculty.

REFERENCES

Dr. Caitlin Gabor Dr. Andrea Aspbury

phone: (512) 245 – 3387 phone: (512) 245 – 2178

email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

Supple Science Building Room 436 Supple Science Building Room 136

Department of Biology Department of Biology

Texas State University-San Marcos Texas State University-San Marcos

Dr. Floyd Weckerly

phone: 512-245-3353

email: [email protected]

Supple Science Building Room 256

Home Page

Department of Biology

Texas State University-San Marcos

Texas State University-San Marcos	Aquatic Resources	Ph.D.	2005-Present
Advisor: Caitlin R. Gabor, Ph.D.
*Candidacy Advancement			2007

Texas State University-San Marcos	Biology, M.S. student		2004-2005
*Degree change after one year.

Emporia State University, Kansas	Biology	B.S.	2004