Tami Ransom
Department of Biology
P.O. Box 400328
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4328
work: (434) 982� 5487
home: (201) 566 � 6819
tsr6a(@)virginia.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. student, University of Virginia
Fall 2006 to present Major � Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
M.S. 2006 University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Major � Environmental and Evolutionary Biology
Advisors � Dr. Paul Leberg and Dr. Robert Jaeger
GPA: 4.0
Thesis: Community Interactions among Salamanders in the Southern
Appalachian Mountains
B.S. 1995 University of California, Davis
Major � Wildlife and Fisheries Biology
GPA: 3.698
PUBLICATIONS
Ransom, T. S. and R. G. Jaeger. 2006. An assemblage of salamanders in the southern
Appalachian mountains revisited: competitive and predatory behavior? Behaviour
143:1357-1382.
Ransom, T. S. and R. G. Jaeger, in review, Intergeneric salamander interactions across an
ecotone. Herpetologica.
Manuscripts in prep.
Addo, J.* and T.S. Ransom. Salamanders and beetles: potential intertaxa competition
*undergraduate co-author
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My broad interest is in community ecology; I am interested in how interactions between species influence community structure and dynamics. I am currently examining the potential impacts of invasive earthworms on native vertebrates. Earthworms are a ubiquitous but often overlooked biological component in ecosystems, and can have profound effects on community dynamics through their effects on small vertebrates, micro-invertebrates, soil composition, and nutrient cycling. More specifically, I am focusing on the potentially complex effects of earthworms on the forest leaf litter community, particularly the effects of invasive earthworms on terrestrial salamanders.
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
The response of a �putty� species to intraguild removals: interactions among salamanders. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Poster presentation. July 6-11 2005, Tampa, FL.
Community dynamics of salamanders in the southern Appalachian mountains. Mountain Lake Biologica Station, July 2006, Pembroke, VA.
Community interactions among salamanders in the southern Appalachian mountains. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, August 6-11, 2006, Memphis, TN.
Influence of an invasive invertebrate on small vertebrate interactions. Univesity of Virginia, Biology Department, December 6 2006, Charlottesville, VA.
TEACHING
2006 Mentor in NSF sponsored REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) Program
2006 Teaching Assistant. Introduction to Biology 203, University of Virginia.
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
University of Virginia Teaching Assistantship, 2006, $22,400/year as stipend
Louisiana Board of Regents Fellowship grant, 2004 to 2006, $18,000/year as stipend
Graduate Student Organization grant, ULL, Fall 2004, $160
Mountain Lake Biological Station grant, Summer 2006, $1700
Mountain Lake Biological Station grant, Summer 2005, $500
Graduate Student Organization grant, ULL, Spring 2005, $160
Graduate Student Organization grant, ULL, Summer 2005, $400
EMPLOYMENT
Field Biologist, Michael Morrision, Lake Tahoe Management Area, CA; May 2004 � Aug 2004
Conducted wildlife surveys for amphibians, reptiles, birds, and butterflies
Monitored nesting passerines
Field Biologist, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Plumas National Forest, CA; May 2003 �Aug 2003
Performed avian point counts, set up transects
Detailed vegetation surveys. Used GIS/ Arcview.
Wildlife Technician, Mendocino Redwood Company, Ft. Bragg, CA; Apr 2002 � Sept 2002
Surveyed for all owl species at nighttime call points
Searched for and monitored Northern Spotted Owls and their nests
Conducted additional wildlife surveys as needed, including amphibian surveys
Conducted vegetation surveys
Volunteer Bander, Thunder Cape Bird Observatory, Thunder Cape, Ontario; Oct 2001
Mist-netted, banded, sexed, aged, and took measurements of migrating birds Assisted with daily hawk and migratory bird watch.
Field Herpetologist, Wildlife Conservation Society, NY, MA, and NH; Mar 2001 - Sept 2001
Conducted inventory for reptiles and amphibians through use of minnow traps, turtle traps, and coverboards, calling counts, time constrained surveys, stream surveys and egg mass surveys.
Identified, measured, aged, sexed, and notched/marked animals.
Other duties included data entry, data analysis, and report writing.
ABO Volunteer, Atlantic Bird Observatory, Seal Island, Nova Scotia; Sept 2000 - Oct 2000
Mist-netted, banded, sexed, aged, and took measurements of migrating birds
Conducted census for all bird species every other day
Field Biologist/Supervisor, San Bernardino County Museum, AZ and NV;
Apr 2000 - Sept 2000 and Apr 1999 - Sept 1999
Surveyed for the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher as part of an on-going life history study.
Duties included: active nest searching and monitoring, surveys and identification of other bird species by sight and sound, mist-netting and banding of Willow Flycatchers, vegetative and habitat assessment.
Field Biologist, University of Washington, Capitol Forest, WA, Sept 1999 - Nov 1999
Pitfall trapped small mammals and amphibians.
Identified small mammals and amphibians to species or genus, and took detailed measurements and collected data for live amphibians.
U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer/ Uganda, Rwenzori Mountains and Kibale National Parks;
Jul 1996 - Aug 1998
-In Rwenzori Mountains National Park, performed duties of a Warden of Community Conservation. Trained and educated local community groups and individuals regarding soil conservation techniques, tree nursery management, and fuel conservation methods. Encouraged primary school Wildlife Clubs, and assisted with club projects. Trained park rangers and guides on interpretation techniques. Assisted with tourism development by producing posters and writing articles promoting the park.
-In Kibale National Park worked to develop ecotourism activities. Wrote proposals for, designed, and produced interactive Visitor Center displays demonstrating rainforest ecology. Implemented a Night Walk.
Surveyed, designed, and completed additional tourist trails within the park. Assisted in habituation of chimpanzees and data collection. Supervised the development of research trails. Designed, authored, illustrated, and produced brochures highlighting park activities and ecology. Assisted local community organizations with tourism-related projects.