Adult male holotype of Bothriechis guifarroi

The study was published in the open access journal Zookeys and has been featured in news articles in Science Daily and other media outlets.

In collaboration with colleagues from the University of Colorado, University of Texas (Arlington), the Zamorano Biodiversity Institute in Honduras, and the University of Florida, Townsend and Medina have named the new species Bothriechis guifarroi, or Guifarro’s Palm-Pitviper. The name is given to honor Mario Guifarro of Olancho, Honduras, a former hunter and gold miner who became an outspoken conservationist when he saw the vast rainforests of eastern Honduras being destroyed and converted to cattle ranches. After years of threats and multiple attempts on his life, Guifarro was ambushed and murdered on September 15, 2007, while on a mission to delimit a biosphere reserve for the Tawahka people, an indigenous group that lives in the rainforests of eastern Honduras.

A juvenile Bothriechis guifarroi showing the typical green color phase

“We hoped to use the description of such an exciting new species as an opportunity to draw attention to the dedication and sacrifice not only of Don Mario Guifarro, but of the many grassroots conservationists in Honduras and throughout the developing world who go unacknowledged,” said Townsend. “I worked with Don Mario in eastern Honduras during 2001, 2002, and 2003, and his dedication to conservation and unbelievable skill in the rainforest had an influence on me that I will carry throughout my life.” More about Guifarro’s story can be found in this article by Jeremy Kryt.

Because of similarity in color pattern and scalation, Guifarro’s Palm-Pitviper was previously confused with other Honduran palm pitvipers. Genetic analysis revealed that the closest relatives of the new species are actually found over 600 km to the south, in the mountains of Costa Rica. “This discovery has important implications for Central American biogeography as well as for conservation. We recommend Bothriechis guifarroi be immediately classified as Critically Endangered due to its limited known distribution and the potential for anthropogenic damage to its habitat. We also consider this species to warrant immediate protection under CITES, given its striking appearance and high potential for exploitation in the pet trade,” said Townsend.

Another juvenile Bothriechis guifarroi showing the brown color phase, which transitions to green as the snake matures

The snake was discovered by Townsend and collaborators during two expeditions in 2010 aimed at studying the fauna of Texiguat Wildlife Refuge, one of the most endemism-rich and diverse highland forests in Mesoamerica. This beautiful but toxic snake represents the 15th endemic species occurring in the region. Texiguat Wildlife Refuge was created in 1987 to protect populations of wildlife such as the famous but elusive jaguar and Central America tapir, as well as howler and white-faced monkeys, sloths, and a variety of endemic amphibians, reptiles, and plants.

Original Source:

Townsend JH, Medina-Flores M, Wilson LD, Jadin RC, Austin JD (2013) A relict lineage and new species of green palm-pitviper (Squamata, Viperidae, Bothriechis) from the Chortís Highlands of Mesoamerica. ZooKeys 298: 77, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.298.4834

These funds will support Larkin’s continued research on the conservation of the golden-winged warbler. Congratulations to Dr. Larkin!

The IUP chapter of the national honor society Phi Eta Sigma welcomed its new inductees in a ceremony held on April 21, 2013, in Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. N. Bharathan, professor of Biology, organized and hosted this annual event. Krys Kaniasty, professor of Psychology, was the keynote speaker. Ray Winstead, professor of Biology, was also invited to speak during the afternoon ceremony. In his address, Winstead asked the students to consider answers to important questions about education, integrity, and intelligence. His address was certain to inspire those in attendance (the full text of Winstead’s address is available for review).

The induction ceremony was followed by more to celebrate: Bharathan received news this week that two students from the IUP chapter of Phi Eta Sigma (current chapter president Kristen Erickson and chapter president-elect Hannah Cornman) were each awarded a Phi Eta Sigma national scholarship in the amount of $6,000.

Congratulations to Kristen, Hannah, and all of the new chapter members!

CPUB was founded in 1973 as an organization to provide support for the teaching and research activities of faculty in the biological sciences from the 14 state-owned universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Its activities have included scientific meetings, symposia, and institutes for the enhancement of the professional development of its members and associates. It also provides a forum for graduate and undergraduate students for the presentation of their research. The annual meeting rotates through each of the participating universities, and it will be held at Mansfield University in 2014.

In addition to those who presented at the meeting, undergraduate student Alex Miller and Biology faculty members N. Bharathan, Carl Luciano, Josiah Townsend, and Holly Travis attended the meeting. Luciano provided a display of artifacts from Africa, and recruited students and faculty from other PASSHE schools for the Summer 2013 Field Studies in Biology course taking place in Africa.

Melissa Medina-Flores (and Josiah Townsend) won First Place Graduate Poster for her research poster titled “Uncovering a Relict Lineage of Green Palm-pitvipers (Squamata: Viperidae: Bothriechis) in Northern Honduras.”

Lee Ann New (and Megan Knoch) won Second Place Undergraduate Poster in Cellular/Molecular Biology with her research poster titled “Ethanol Preference in Sexually Deprived Houseflies (Musca domestica).”

Additional students who participated in the 2013 conference included:

Biology Education Graduate/Undergraduate Platform Presentations

Valerie Nowaczyk and Holly Travis: “Teaching Genetics/Evolution in the 7th Grade Classroom”

Michelle Myers-Claypole and Holly Travis: “Assessing the Effectiveness of a Student Teacher in a High School Biology II Class”

George E. Tickerhoof III and Holly Travis: “Effectiveness of Instruction During a Genetics Unit in a Ninth and Tenth Grade Biology Classroom”

Ecology/Evolution/Organismal and Cellular/Molecular Graduate Student Platform Presentations

Tobechukwu Ukah and Cuong Diep: “Generation of a Zebrafish Transgenic Line to Characterize Kidney Injury and Regeneration”

Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate/Undergraduate Posters

Hopeton Bailey, Josiah Racchini, and N. Bharathan: “Are Our Foods Genetically Modified?”

Lauren Comunale, Hannah Cornman, Shan Min Chin, Chin Hong Siew, and N. Bharathan: “Plasmid DNA Analysis of Cloned dsRNA Fragments From a Selected Isolate of Rhizoctonia solani”

Matt Grassi, Colleen Trostle, Kelsey Hayden, Shan Min Chin, Chin Hong Siew, and Seema Bharathan: “cDNA Synthesis and Cloning of Tomato Mosaic Viral RNA (ToMV) Using One-step Nested RT-PCR”

Jun Soo Park, Kristy Anthony, Shan Min Chin, Chin Hong Siew, Seema Bharathan, and N. Bharathan: "Protein on a Chip: Analysis of Proteins from Select Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani"  

Department of Biology

Right: Close-up of the head of Tantilla olympia

Along with collaborators Larry Wilson and Luis Herrera from Honduras, Townsend and Medina report the discovery of the new species, which they name Tantilla olympia, from Texíguat Wildlife Refuge in northern Honduras. The only known specimen of this distinctive new species was found in a deep, trench-like trail that leads high into the cloud forest of Texíguat. The trail acts as a trap for small, ground-dwelling animals like Tantilla, which fall into the trail and have trouble climbing out.

Left: Melissa Medina (front) and the expedition team hiking up the trail where Tantilla olympia was discovered

This is not the first new species Townsend and Medina have found in Texíguat, which is one of the most important areas for endemic biodiversity in Central America. They will soon publish a paper describing another new species of snake from Texíguat, and Biology honors student Catie Krygeris is studying a population of stream treefrogs from Texíguat that also appears to represent a new species.

Department of Biology

Research Appreciation Week kicked off with the Women in Science, Mathematics, and Technology program on the afternoon of 01 April. Multiple Biology students and faculty presented posters, including:

• Rebecca Beadling (Advisor: C. Lake): A neutron diffraction investigation of the solid-solution Na₂(Zn₁Co)SiO₄
• Emily Bellush (Advisor: J. Larkin): Foraging ecology of the golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera): Does plant species composition matter?
• Samantha Eichelberger (Advisor: C. Diep): Analysis of the zebrafish lhx1a gene, a transcription factor important for kidney development
• Catie Krygeris (Advisor: J. Townsend): Cryptic diversity in stream treefrogs (Hylidae: Ptychohyla): How many species in Northern Honduras?
• Wendy Leuenberger (Advisor: J. Larkin): A comparison of Lepidoptera communities inhabiting restored and degraded pitch pine-scrub oak barrens in Pennsylvania
• Melissa Medina (Advisor: J. Townsend): Systematics of the green palm-pitvipers (Squamata: Viperidae: Bothriechis) from Northern Honduras
• Stephanie Moon (Advisor: J. Larkin): Lepidoptera communities occupying invasive vs. native shrubs
• Lee Ann New (Advisor: M. Knoch): Ethanol preference in sexually deprived house flies (Musca domestica)
• Julie Scott (Advisor: E. Yerger): Using DNA barcoding to identify cryptic species of caterpillars
• Anne Simmons: Careers in toxicology

Biology students earned a number of awards at this year’s Women in Science, Mathematics, and Technology program. Emily Bellush (first place) and Melissa Medina (second place) were honored with graduate student poster awards, and Rebecca Beadling (second place) and Samantha Eichelberger (third place) were honored with undergraduate poster awards.

Samantha Eichelberger presenting at the Women in Science, Mathematics, and Technology program

The events of Research Week continued on Tuesday at the eight annual Undergraduate Scholars Forum. Presenters from Biology included:

• Amy Binion and Lee New (Advisor: W. Brenneman): Biannual reproduction in Pennsylvania stream fishes
• Samantha Eichelberger (Advisor: C. Diep): Analysis of the zebrafish lhx1a gene, a transcription factor important for kidney development
• John Kamau (Advisors: J. Larkin and R. Hinrichsen): Paving the way into an ancient eco-friendly superfiber: Characterization of recombinant spider silk expression in Escherichia coli bacteria
• Wendy Leuenberger (Advisor: J. Larkin): A comparison of Lepidoptera communities inhabiting restored and degraded pitch pine-scrub oak barrens in Pennsylvania
• Lee New (Advisor: M. Knoch): Ethanol preference in sexually deprived house flies (Musca domestica)
• Julie Scott (Advisor: E. Yerger): Using DNA barcoding to identify cryptic species of caterpillars

Once again, Biology students were among the honorees. Samantha Eichelberger won the first place poster award for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the first place Sigma Xi award. Wendy Leuenberger was honored with the Outstanding Presentation Award for our college.

Julie Scott presenting at the Undergraduate Scholars Forum

Once the undergraduate students had demonstrated their talents, it was time for the graduate students to take the stage in the third annual Graduate Scholars Forum, on Wednesday. Once again, Biology had a strong showing, with presentations including:

• Ethan Cullen (Advisors: T. Nuttle and J. Duchamp): Impacts of historic deer browse on present insectivorous forest songbird communities in the Allegheny National Forest
• Justin Gross (Advisor: J. Duchamp): Monitoring the demographic responses of Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) populations to habitat management in Pennsylvania
• Stephanie Moon (Advisor: J. Larkin): Lepidoptera communities occupying invasive vs. native shrubs
• Amber Nolder (Advisor: J. Duchamp): Bat response to oak regeneration silviculture
• Tobechukwu Ukah (Advisor: C. Diep): generation of a transgenic zebrafish line to characterize kidney injury and regeneration

Biology students Stephanie Moon (first place), Amber Nolder (second place), and Ethan Cullen (third place) took home all of the awards given for students from the College of Natural Sciences at Mathematics.

Congratulations to all of our presenters and award winners!

Tobechukwu Ukah presenting at the Graduate Scholars Forum

Department of Biology

During the first couple of days of the 2013 Spring Break, IUP Biology graduate student Stephanie Moon and Biology undergraduate and Cook Honors College student Wendy Leuenberger attended and presented their research findings at the American Entomological Society’s annual meeting in Lancaster, Pa. Both students’ presentations were very well attended, and Leuenberger was honored at the concluding banquet when she received the Best Student Presentation Award.

During the latter part of Spring Break, Leuenberger and Moon were joined by fellow IUP Biology graduate students Ethan Cullen, Amber Nolder, Emily Bellush, and Mack Frantz, who presented their research findings at the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s annual meeting in State College, Pa. Other IUP students and faculty in attendance included Rebecca Ferry, Chad Clair, Courtney Nicks, Justin Gross, Adam Mengel, Travis Ferry, and faculty members Jeff Larkin and Joe Duchamp. IUP again took top honors with Leuenberger’s repeat performance as Best Student Presentation.

According to Larkin, “All of our students were exceptional ambassadors for Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the conservation profession. It was an honor to have attended these meetings with such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of students.”

Congratulations to all of our IUP student presenters and conference attendees!

The event provides an opportunity for students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities to showcase their research and to meet with legislators. Kamau, accompanied by Larkin, was chosen to be one of the IUP presenters at the recent symposium in Harrisburg. Pictures of the attendees are available.

The goal of the program is to motivate students to study biology and to acquaint high school students with the techniques in modern biology research. Details on the program and how to register can be found on the Biotechnology Research Institute website.

Read the complete news release about this new award, as reported by the IUP School of Graduate Studies and Research. Or, find out more about the woodrat population study.

Tom Lord has been a dedicated professional in the classroom for nearly 40 years, not only working toward imparting the necessary content, but focusing on teaching his students how to think. He taught at several levels, including high school in New Jersey and in international settings (Frankfurt, Germany, and various locations in England) and in higher education at Uppsala College, Burlington County Community College, and here at IUP. Tom is renowned as an advocate for inquiry and constructivist techniques, holding offices and serving on panels of several national science education organizations during his tenure here.

Tom has been, and continues to be, actively involved in professional development activities and organizations at the local, state, and national levels. At the national level, he has held the offices of vice president and president of the Society for College Science Teachers, and recently served as one of just four members on the Leadership Team of the Alliance of Affiliates of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). He is also the current director of the College Science Teaching committee for NSTA. He has also served local organizations as a member of the IUP Allegheny Arboretum board and the Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center Steering Committee. Tom has been recognized for his achievements in increasing student understanding many times. Awards that acknowledge these contributions include Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Teaching Award, the IUP Teacher Institute Innovative Teaching Award, the IUP Distinguished Educator Award, and the National Association of Biology Teachers Teacher-Researcher Award. He has also been nominated for the 2014 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Teaching Award, offered by the Society for College Science Teaching.

Tom has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals, including American Biology Teacher, Journal for College Science Teaching, Perceptual and Motor Skills, School Science & Mathematics, Mathematics in Schools, and Innovative Higher Education. Tom also coauthored Ferns and Fern Allies of Pennsylvania (distributed by Penn State Press) in 2006, Schoolyard Science: 101 Easy and Inexpensive Activities (through NSTA Press) in 2011, and a chapter in R.E. Yager’s 6th Exemplary Science Program Monograph in 2009 with Holly Travis. His written work also includes several books on the Lake George area of the Adirondacks, including Stories of Lake George, More Stories of Lake George, Still More Stories of Lake George, and Poems of Lake George. The Lake George books are used by many teachers as a valuable addition to ordinary classroom textbooks because they highlight unique aspects of the region.

Tom is continuing his work in field biology and science education while enjoying retirement in the Lewes, Delaware, region. He will be teaching courses through the University of Delaware branch campus nearby, and is looking forward to enjoying the unique bird and plant life in that area. 

We wish Tom all the best for his retirement!

Department of Biology

The critically endangered spike-thumb treefrog (Plectrohyla dasypus) is found only in Cusuco National Park, a cloud forest reserve in northwestern Honduras. It's one of many threatened amphibians in Mesoamerica.

Mesoamerica has a highly diverse and endangered amphibian fauna, with over one-third of the nearly 800 species threatened with extinction. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is considered to be the world’s most comprehensive source of information relating to the conservation status of the world’s plants and animals.

Assessments are carried out on a species-by-species basis using a standard methodological approach for assessing the risk of extinction of the planet’s biodiversity. Red List assessments take into account data related to distribution, population status, ecology and natural history, and known threats and conservation actions.

In 2004, all known species of amphibians were evaluated as part of the Global Amphibian Assessment; however, many assessments haven't been updated since then. Through the formation of a new Mesoamerican Working Group for Amphibians made up of specialists from Mexico and each country in Central America, Townsend will undertake the task of ensuring that each species assessment is updated and maintained using the latest available data.

More information about amphibian conservation is available from the Amphibians Specialist Group and Amphibian Red List Authority. 

Professor Javier Sunyer (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua - Leon) and Josiah Townsend (right) worked on IUCN Red List assessments at a recent workshop in Palo Verde, Costa Rica. 

The facility, which can house up to 10,000 adult zebrafish, will also be used in the future for courses such as Animal Developmental Biology (BIOL 331) and Genetics (BIOL 263).

The aquarium system from Aquaneering has a four-stage filtration system that provides clean and sterile recirculating water into the fish tanks.

The zebrafish is a powerful model organism for medical research. As a vertebrate, it possesses many of the same organs and tissues that humans have. Embryonic development in the zebrafish occurs externally, so the embryos are accessible for observation and manipulation for developmental studies. Unlike humans, however, zebrafish can regenerate many of their organs and tissues. Thus, understanding how they regrow injured body parts can provide insights into designing treatments for many human diseases, such as diabetes and kidney and heart diseases.

Above right: The Tubingen zebrafish strain is commonly used as a "wild-type", or control, strain by many scientists.

Diep is currently using zebrafish as a model system to study the role of stem cells during kidney development and regeneration. In the near future, Major plans to use zebrafish to study heart development and regeneration.

Left: The GloFish strain has bright fluorescence even under normal lighting condition. Fluorescent colors include red, green, orange, blue and purple. This strain can be used to follow the fate of stem cells because every cell in the fluorescent fish is permanently labeled with that specific color.

Biology students and faculty using the zebrafish facility in their research include (from front right): Samantha Eichelberger, Estefania Alba-Rodriguez, Tobechukwu Ukah, Paul Kelly, Junqing Situ, Cuong Diep, and Robert Major.

Travis discussed strategies for improving student engagement in large lecture settings. The students, both completing their student teaching experiences this semester, shared the assessment of student learning done as a part of their Teacher Work Sample projects and demonstrated activities they used to teach science in secondary classrooms.

Klinger discussed the statistical analysis of student learning, her unit focusing on three eighth-grade classes taking an ecology course. She compared classes of students grouped by different ability levels to evaluate variations in student learning in college-prep, standard, and inclusion classes.

Thomas presented his eighth-grade teacher work sample, sharing statistical analysis of pre- and post-tests given for a unit about population biology and predator-prey interactions. He also shared some of the activities that served as formal and informal evaluations of student learning throughout the unit.

All three presentations were very well received.

The PSTA is an organization for in-service and pre-service K-16 teachers of science, informal science educators, and other interested individuals. It is the Pennsylvania state affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association. The conference is held annually to share ideas for teaching science at all levels, and to discuss new trends, teaching strategies, and policies that impact the teaching of science. In addition, exhibitors from many companies and organizations of interest to science teachers are present with samples and displays.

President Michael Driscoll outlined his vision for Strategic Initiative funding in October and solicited proposals campuswide for projects that would strengthen IUP's academic quality and reputation, improve student success, or in some other way advance IUP's strategic goals.

The Biology proposal was one of eleven selected for funding in this award cycle. For more information, see the award news announcement.

A large group of students and faculty gathered at the College Lodge for the evening, sharing food and swapping stories. Many of the attendees sported new Biology t-shirts, available from the Biology Club (contact Samantha Eichelberger at s.l.eichelberger@iup.edu to purchase one). As the pictures attest, there were smiles all around! Special thanks to the Biology Club and its advisor, Bob Major, for reminding us to leave work behind once in a while.

Recent years have brough much change to the Department of Biology, and we have been fortunate to attract top-quality faculty in our recent searches. We expect this trend to continue as we begin the search for two new faculty members. The new positions, in Public Health and Neurochemistry, are designed to build upon existing strengths in the department while expanding our research and training capabilities.

For more information, interested applicants should visit the official public health biologist and neurochemical biologist job descriptions as available from the IUP Office of Human Resources. Questions concerning the positions can be addressed to Dr. Carl Luciano, Co-Chair, Faculty Search Committee, IUP Department of Biology, Weyandt Hall room 114, 975 Oakland Ave., Indiana, PA 15705.

Right: Using a seine net, Medina-Flores samples freshwater fishes in a remote river in Honduras

During her recent seminar to the Department of Biology, Medina-Flores highlighted her work with the endemic amphibians, reptiles, and fishes in her native Honduras, including details of her discoveries of new species in all three groups. She also detailed her exploration and mapping of newly discovered caves in Honduras, while highlighting the need for future research in all of her areas of interest.

Left: Medina-Flores (in yellow) and a team admire a waterfall inside a newly-discovered cave in eastern Honduras.

Her seminar and visit to IUP were sponsored by the Department of Biology and faculty member Josiah Townsend. Medina-Flores plans to join the IUP Biology Graduate Program next year.

Above: Medina-Flores prepares genetic samples from a frog in a Honduran rainforest.

The information session will consist of a short slide presentation by Carl Luciano (Biology) followed by an opportunity for Q&A with Luciano and Adrian Wisnicki (English). The information session will be held in Weyandt Hall, room 6, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone who is interested in the study abroad travel (students, faculty, family, friends) is invited to attend.

The proposed study abroad travel class will include about three weeks in late July and early August 2013 (exact dates dependent on summer schedule and on availability of accommodations). We plan to visit national/provincial parks, wildlife reserves, and a private game ranch to learn about the biology as well as the business of wildlife in the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland. We will also give significant attention to the culture, history, and literature of the areas we visit.

Our proposed itinerary includes Johannesburg, Kruger National park, Hlane Royal National Park, and various sites in Limpopo Province. We also plan to visit the fynbos region around the Cape Peninsula along with cultural activities in and around Cape Town, South Africa’s “Mother City.”

Please contact Luciano at luciano@iup.edu or 724-357-2352, or Wisnicki at adrianw@iup.edu for more information, or see the course website.

The ceremony honored new student and faculty inductees into the nation's oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines.

At right: Bharathan addresses the audience during the 2012 Phi Eta Sigma induction ceremony.

The Susquehanna ballroom was filled to capacity as new inductees gathered with their families and the officers of the IUP chapter of Phi Eta Sigma. Narayanaswamy Bharathan, professor of Biology and founder of IUP’s chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, served as the master of ceremonies and welcomed all in attendance. In his remarks, Bharathan congratulated the new inductees and noted the high levels of achievement which characterize society student members and the successes that its recent graduates have attained. He also highlighted the society’s activities, most prominent of which is the awarding of academic scholarships.

Several Biology and college faculty were inducted as honorary members of the society, including Paul Nealen and Ray Winstead of Biology and Deanne Snavely, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Snavely also served as keynote speaker for the event, congratulating the students and offering her tips for academic success.

For more information about Phi Eta Sigma, please visit the IUP Phi Eta Sigma chapter website or the society’s main website.

At left: Coauthors Larry David Wilson (Zamorano Biodiversity Center, Honduras) and Ileana Luque (University of Florida and Zamorano Biodiversity Center, Honduras) search for endemic salamanders in a recently destroyed Honduran cloud forest. Photo by Townsend.

These 47 species of amphibians and reptiles are endemic to Honduras, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, these same species are also classified as Critically Endangered, the highest threat category on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. These species make up the Critically Endangered Endemic Component (CEEC) of the Honduran herpetofauna and are found in 19 sites around the country, including highland cloud forests and Caribbean islands.

(At right: A critically endangered endemic treefrog (Duellmanohyla salvavida) from northern Honduras. Photo by Townsend.)

To maximize the usefulness of this study to lawmakers, conservation practitioners, and students in Latin America and beyond, the study was published in Spanish and provided free of charge on the website of the Latin American Journal of Conservation.

“It is important to make this type of research easily accessible to the people with the greatest opportunity and stake in conserving Honduran biodiversity, namely the residents of Honduras and the region,” Townsend said. “All too often researchers from the United States and Europe visit these regions to collect data and samples without putting an equal amount of effort into sharing their findings widely in the countries where they work.”

The complete study is available, in Spanish, for free download.

Read the full text of the original news story.

Students and faculty gather in Weyandt Hall, room 06, at the start of the program

On the evening of August 28, Biology faculty members met with the new students in a Biosafari: an information scavenger hunt during which teams of students explored the classrooms and labs of Weyandt Hall while meeting with the faculty and learning about the department. Fun, food, and prizes made for a great evening. Thanks to all of the participants, and here’s to a successful semester for all!

Dr. Newell welcomes the crowd and explains the program

Student teams explore the classrooms and labs of Weyandt Hall (here with Dr. Ayebo)

Meeting with Dr. Hinrichsen in the student lounge

Townsend (left) and Luis Herrera from the National Autonomous University of Honduras encountering an unnamed species of arboreal salamander (photo: Ben K. Atkinson)

Townsend and his team discovered the previously unknown hotspot for amphibian and reptile diversity in the Texíguat Wildlife Refuge, a cloud forest reserve in Honduras. During a rapid biodiversity inventory, the team documented 47 species, including at least three new species and a total of 14 endemic species—those found nowhere else on earth.

The high number of endemic species makes the refuge one of the most important sites for herpetofaunal endemism in Central America.

In addition, the team rediscovered an endemic tree frog previously feared to have gone extinct and the second known male of a rare subterranean snake species.

Townsend's team included scientists and parascientists from the University of Florida; National Autonomous University of Honduras; University of New Mexico; University of California, Berkeley; and rural communities in Honduras. The team comprised not only herpetologists but also specialists in mammals, birds, plants, and community-based conservation.

Their findings have been published in the latest issue of the journal Salamandra as "A Premontane Hotspot of Herpetofaunal Endemism on the Windward Side of Refugio de Vida Silvestre Texíguat, Honduras."

In another recent study, Townsend and collaborators from the University of Colorado and University of Texas discovered two previously unrecognized species of venomous Middle American Montane Pitvipers, genus Cerrophidion.

The Honduran Montane Pitviper (Cerrophidion wilsoni), one of the new species discovered (photo: Joe Townsend)

Prior to this, populations of Cerrophidion from Mexico to Costa Rica had been considered to be a single species with a fragmented distribution.

Analysis of DNA sequence data revealed that three different species were present, each with a geographically discrete distribution. This is an example of cryptic diversity, referring to species that are clearly distinct evolutionary lineages yet are difficult to recognize using traditional morphological characteristics.

Their findings appear in the latest issue of Zoologica Scripta as "Cryptic diversity in disjunct populations of Middle American Montane Pitvipers: a systematic reassessment of Cerrophidion godmani."

The Honduran giant anole (Anolis loveridgei), an endemic species from Texíguat Wildlife Refuge documented by Townsend's team (photo: Joe Townsend)

Townsend's research emphasizes the inherit connections between systematic biology and conservation and integrates phylogenetics, morphological systematics, population genetics, and macroecological modeling into a framework that uses taxonomic inventory and monitoring to promote education and extension in support of broader conservation goals.

He and his team have collaborated with the Smithsonian Institution’s Laboratory of Analytical Biology and Division of Herpetology to generate a DNA reference dataset for over 1,500 samples of Mesoamerican amphibians and reptiles, work that has led to the description of more than a dozen new species from Central America.

Townsend has research opportunities available in his lab; interested undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to contact him.

Bob Prezant (Biology Department chair 1993–1998), Barkley Butler (Biology Department chair 1998–2002), and Carl Luciano (Biology Department chair 2002–Present) met and reminisced on Sunday, August 26, on the occasion of Prezant coming back to town to attend the IUP Freshman Convocation. Prezant had received a special university invitation to attend the convocation, in recognition of his having previously been honored as a prestigious IUP University Professor.

In photo from left: Luciano, Prezant, and Butler. Prezant is currently dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. Butler is retired from IUP as a Biology professor emeritus.

Follow this link to read the original news release.

Department of Biology

As such, these programs will be listed as nationally recognized on websites and/or other publications of the NSTA and NCATE. The institution may designate its program as nationally recognized by NCATE in its published materials. National recognition for these programs is dependent upon achieving this NCATE accreditation.

The designation of nationally recognized without conditions could not have been achieved without the collaborative and collective efforts of the Teacher Education coordinators from these science education programs, as well as other faculty members from across the university. This submission was coordinated by Holly Travis, Biology, with assistance from Mike Briggs, Chemistry; Ken Coles and Karen Rose Cercone, Geoscience; and Stan Sobelewski, Physics. Jeff Frantangelli, the IUP NCATE assessment coordinator, and Joseph Domaracki, interim associate dean for Teacher Education, were also instrumental in effectively completing and submitting this accreditation report.

Through these nationally recognized programs, IUP will continue to produce top quality science educators dedicated to preparing future generations of citizens to meet the challenges they will encounter.

Follow this link to read the original news release.

Department of Biology

Rob Gendron has retired from IUP—we wish Rob a long and happy retirement!

Josiah Townsend will join us as a new Biology faculty member. Josiah’s interests lie in ecology, and we look forward to his research and teaching contributions. Welcome, Josiah!

Tom Simmons will be on sabbatical for Fall 2012, while Shundong Bi and Jeffery Larkin will be on sabbatical for all of the 2012–2013 academic year. Tim Nuttle will also be on leave for 2012–2013. We wish them all the best of luck with their planned activities.

And, last but not least, Biology faculty fared well in the latest round of tenure and promotions decisions. Megan Knoch and Tim Nuttle were granted tenure. Seema Bharathan, Vida Irani, and Tim Nuttle have been promoted to associate professor, while Jeffery Larkin has been promoted to full professor. Congratulations to them all!

Read more about Larkin’s GWWA project.

Donald Miller, a 2012 Biology graduate, won the Walter and Adelheid Hohenstein Fellow award, reserved for the outstanding applicant in the Northeastern U.S.

Phi Kappa Phi describes itself as “the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective collegiate honors society.” This fellowship is awarded to the top candidate from the 56 chapters which make up the Northeast region, on the basis of “distinguished research or service.” The fellowship includes a $5,000 award.

Miller’s application combined elements of his perfect undergraduate academic record with his award-winning research program in physiology within the IUP Department of Biology, as mentored by faculty member Paul Nealen.

The IUP chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, headed by Dennis Giever (professor of Criminology), selected Miller’s application to be IUP’s single entry into the national fellowship competition. Applications from across the country were reviewed in Baton Rouge, La., with fellowship winners announced last week.

Miller will begin his medical studies at the Hershey Medical School of the Pennsylvania State University this fall.

Congratulations, Don!

Organized by Biology professor Holly Travis and fifth-grade science teacher Megan Bush, a graduate of IUP’s Elementary Education program, Science Day included demonstrations, presentations, and hands-on activities.

• Mike Briggs (Chemistry) provided an activity with acids and bases using a red cabbage extract.
• Yvonne Branan (Geoscience) presented a volcano slideshow and demonstration.
• Megan Knoch (Biology) connected student volunteers to a Biopac monitoring system to demonstrate the electrical energy generated by muscle activity.
• Carl Luciano (Biology) discussed some of the animals of Africa, highlighted with slides from his own travels.
• Bob Major (Biology) talked about tissue regeneration, complete with microscope slides of planaria for the students to observe.
• Stan Sobolewski (Physics) did real-time graphing of motion, with students walking back and forth in front of a motion detector as a computer graphed their position and speed.

Science Education students Nicole Mountain, Zach Spangler, and George Tickerhoof and Art Studio student Justin DeCarlo assisted with directing groups, cleaning up between rotations, and keeping everything moving smoothly.

The fifth graders enjoyed Sterns ice cream in the Oak Grove during their break for lunch and received note boards from the Biology Department before they returned to school.

Based on the students' lively discussions during lunch and between sessions, they learned all kinds of new things and were very excited about science and the opportunities it affords for research and discovery.

We hope to see many of these students back at IUP as college students in a few years!

Carl Luciano gave welcoming remarks to the students and their families and guests, and then led everyone in recognizing those graduating students who had achieved special recognition for research, service, or academic achievements.

Each graduating student was then announced in turn and given the opportunity to speak to the assembled crowd.

The faculty was delighted to hear our graduates express their gratitude, and was justifiably proud of their achievements.

Our graduates are excellent ambassadors for Biology and for IUP, and we are proud of every one. Congratulations!

Photo, fom left: retired IUP biology professor Andy Browe, IUP biology professor Ray Winstead, and former IUP student Larry Kenney

Kenney is currently a professor of physiology and kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University and was the invited speaker at IUP’s first annual Exercise Science Symposium. Kenney graduated from IUP with a bachelor’s degree (1978) and a master’s degree (1980) in Biology. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. degree from Penn State University in physiology in 1983.

Kenney is former president of the American College of Sports Medicine and has extensive research experience in the area of environmental and exercise physiology, particularly human thermoregulation, skin blood flow, and the biophysics of heat exchange. Kenney had specifically requested that Andy Browe (his physiology professor) and Ray Winstead (his biostatistics professor) attend, and, during his talk, Kenney made complimentary comments about IUP and his former biology professors.

This year's meeting was held on April 14, 2012, at Slippery Rock University. Kelly Wroblewski (advised by Megan Knoch) received first prize for her poster in the Cell and Molecular category. IUP swept the awards in the Science Education category, with Chelsea Quarrie receiving first prize, Susannah Rosenberger receiving second prize, and Brandon Plazio receiving third prize in that category.

Congratulations to our award winners!

Read more about Duchamp’s project.

Read the full text of the original news post here.

The Pymatuning Lab of Ecology (PLE) offers its courses to a consortium of regional universities to better serve the region. While PLE is operated by the University of Pittsburgh main campus, the educational consortium has grown over the past five years to include Pitt–Bradford, Pitt–Greensburg, Pitt–Johnstown, Pitt–Titusville, Clarion University, Edinboro University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock University, and the University of Wyoming.

Over the past five years, we have also made tremendous efforts to improve the quality of the courses, residences, and catered food. Students have responded strongly to these improvements. Enrollment from all universities in the consortium has increased by 95 percent.

For 2012, we have assembled another impressive collection of high-quality courses. These courses offer you the chance to satisfy your hunger for field experience, improve your resume, meet requirements for your major, and interact with a diverse array of teaching and research faculty.

Courses which satisfy requirements for IUP Biology majors in the Ecology, Conservation, and Environmental Biology track are marked with an asterisk, below.

Session 1: May 14–June 1

Ecology*

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 003

Anthony Bledsoe (University of Pittsburgh)

What better way to learn ecology than to be outdoors seeing it for yourself? Lectures and laboratory exercises emphasize environmental factors, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Bledsoe’s outdoor experiments and field trips are a great way to help understand the lecture material.

Forest Ecology

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 003

Walter Carson (University of Pittsburgh)

In this course, you’ll study the ecology, management, and conservation of forests. Pack your sleeping bag for an overnight field trip to study a major regional forest type, the beautiful Allegheny National Forest. Lectures, labs, and an independent project will get you on your way to become a professional forest ecologist!

Wetland Ecology and Management

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 003

Instructor: TBA

Discover the wonders of wetlands! This course will help you discover them and provide an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur within and around wetlands and how these processes relate to the management of wetland systems for wildlife. Visit many different types of wetlands in the Pymatuning area!

Session 2: June 4–June 22

Ecology*

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 004

Randy Layne (Slippery Rock University)

What better way to learn ecology than to be outdoors seeing it for yourself? Lectures and laboratory exercises emphasize environmental factors, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Layne’s outdoor experiments and field trips are a great way to help understand the lecture material.

Ornithology (Bird Ecology)

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 004

Anthony Bledsoe (University of Pittsburgh)

Have you ever wished you could tell the difference among birds and among bird calls? Then this class is for you! Learn all about the biology of birds, with an emphasis on bird anatomy, physiology, behavior, reproduction, and ecology. This course combines lectures and laboratory experiences with superb field trips to Presque Isle, Powdermill Nature Reserve, and the Allegheny National Forest.

Field Botany

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 004

Jerry Chmielewski (Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania)

Who doesn’t like to see picturesque wildflowers in the forest and fields? June is an excellent month to view wildflowers and all of the other spring and summer plants. This course teaches you how to identify wildflowers, shrubs, and trees as well as how to collect and prepare specimens. Day trips to local arboretums are sure to be on the schedule!

Field Techniques in Ecology and Conservation*

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 004

Tim Nuttle (Indiana University of Pennsylvania)

A new course for 2012! This class is designed to give practical, hands-on experience in a variety of field techniques used in aquatic and terrestrial ecology and conservation. Topics include orienteering, vegetation sampling, radio telemetry, GIS and GPS, animal population sampling, aquatic insect surveying, and the design of research studies.

Session 3: June 25–July 13

Ecology of Fish

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 005

Andrew Turner (Clarion University of Pennsylvania)

The Pymatuning area’s lakes, ponds and streams are perfect for studying fish! Learn about population and community ecology of freshwater fishes—including identification, age and growth, life-history, trophic interactions and biogeography of fish. Daily trips to various aquatic habitats will provide field experience.

Ecology of Amphibians and Reptiles: Herpetology

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 005

Peter Lindeman (Edinboro University of Pennsylvania)

What is the difference between a salamander and a lizard? You will learn this and much more on just the first day of class! You not only get to canoe the rivers of western Pennsylvania and cruise in a pontoon boat on Pymatuning Lake in search of these amphibians and reptiles, but you’ll learn about their identification, ecology, and conservation.

Session 4: July 16–Aug. 3

Wildlife Management*

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 006

Morty Ortega (University of Connecticut)

The Pymatuning area is a perfect location to learn the principles of wildlife management including the management of habitats, exotic wildlife, urban wildlife, and nongame species. Ortega will captivate you with lectures and field trips that illustrate how biologists manage wild populations. (Note: this course will meet every day from July 16 to July 30)

Conservation Biology*

4 credits BIOL 490 sec 006

Steve Latta (The National Aviary)

To protect and conserve the diversity of plants and animals in nature, we need to understand how to integrate ecology, management, and public policy. Latta uses activities such as bird banding and trips to Powdermill Nature Reserve to offer hands-on demonstrations of conservation principles.

How to enroll

Log on to URSA and pick the BIOL 490 session pertaining to the course you want to take. Then e-mail Tim Nuttle (nuttle@iup.edu) and tell him which specific class you want so your spot can be reserved. Each class is 4 credits of IUP tuition paid to IUP.

Additional fees and information

• Site Fee $58/session
• Room and board (if staying at PLE): $450/session
• More information is available from the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology home page.

IUP Department of Biology

The Biology Department plans to offer summer travel courses in Africa for both Biology and non-Biology students. The courses will have a focus on African wildlife and on the blended culture of southern Africa.

IUP students and faculty will travel to national parks, game reserves, and private safari ranches across southern Africa to observe first-hand many of the major wild animal species for which the region is world-famous and to learn about conservation and management practices currently in use. Lions, buffalo, elephants, white rhinoceros, and antelope are common in the area, along with many bird species.

The group will also have many opportunities to learn about the diverse, multicultural society of South Africa in urban and rural settings around the country and to interact with individuals from many different backgrounds. Cultural experiences in Johannesburg, for example, will include the Apartheid Museum, Soweto Township, and Mandela house.

Our proposed itinerary for this three-week experience in July–August 2013 includes Johannesburg, Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo in the Republic of South Africa. We also plan to visit Simunye in the Kingdom of Swaziland. National parks and reserves on the planned itinerary include Kruger, Mapungubwe, Hlane, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, iSimangaliso, and the Cape Peninsula.

This opportunity for travel and global learning has been offered as a summer option for IUP and PASSHE students since 1989. Faculty, staff, family, and friends may also participate.

The annual Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB) Outstanding Student and the IUP Department of Biology Outstanding Student awards are designed to recognize those students who have achieved high levels of academic, research, and service achievements during their undergraduate careers.

Miller and Villanueva have been excellent students and are truly outstanding in their achievements. They are deserving award winners and will be great ambassadors for our program.

Miller will begin his medical education at the Hershey Medical School of the Pennsylvania State University this fall, while Villanueva will begin his medical studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Congratulations, Don and Hugo!

Department of Biology students and faculty were busy during IUP Research Appreciation Week, and were successful in demonstrating our commitment to high-quality research.

Alan Kessler and John Kamau were among the NSM student award winners from the 2012 Undergraduate Scholars Forum.

Rebekah Keating, Emily Bellush, and Laura D'Acunto were among the 2012 Graduate Scholars Forum Award Winners from the 2012 Graduate Scholars Forum. Keating was recognized for a special ECO Award for Innovation in Sustainability.

Jeffery Larkin won both the Sponsored Programs Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research as well as the Graduate Dean's Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sponsored Programs.

In addition, Anne Simmons was recognized as an IUP Pathbreaker during the 2012 Women in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Program, for her long career in public education.

Last but certainly not least, Rebecca Beadling was anounced as the latest Patricia Hilliard Robertson ’85 Memorial Scholarship winner.

Congratulations to all of our researchers!

Read the full text of the original news release.

Read the full text of the original news release.

Read the full text of the original news release.

Food, conversation, and fun all were plentiful as we celebrated the change of seasons and the winding down of the Spring semester. Here's wishing our 2012 graduates the very best as they prepare to take on new adventures beyond IUP!

Although campus was quieter than usual during Spring Break, many noticed the large crane protruding above Weyandt Hall. It was there to lift new HVAC equipment onto the Weyandt rooftop. Parking and traffic behind Weyandt were re-routed during the installation, which will provide much-needed improvements to the air handling in Weyandt.

Read the full text of the original news release.

The shirts are available in all adult sizes and feature green and light blue lettering on a navy blue background. The shirts are available to anyone interested—just e-mail Samantha Eichelberger at s.l.eichelberger@iup.edu to request one or more (be sure to specify the sizes desired).  The cost is $10 each.

The shirts will be available after Spring Break. The funds raised will be used to support the activities of the Biology Club. Thank you for your support!

Department of Biology

In December 2011, contractors began the first phase of renovations to select Weyandt Hall research facilities. The renovation, funded by a National Science Foundation proposal authored by Carl Luciano (Department of Biology) and Mark Geletka (Facilities), is scheduled to occur in two phases.

The first phase, now underway, is focused upon renovations on the basement and third floor of Weyandt, including individual research labs, graduate student workspaces, and the Weyandt Hall animal facility.

The second phase of renovations, of the ground and second floor of Weyandt, is scheduled to begin later this year, with an August completion date.

A gallery of additional renovation photos is also available.

Examples of such collaborative projects might include, but are not limited to, studying the impact of energy development, loss and restoration of habitat, species of special concern, climate change, forest management, cultural ecology, landscape ecology, molecular ecology, chemical ecology, and ecological genetics.

Candidates should demonstrate outstanding skill and enthusiasm for undergraduate- and master’s-level education with particular emphasis on developing an active research program that involves students.

A full description of position qualifications and responsibilities is available from the IUP Office of Human Resources.

Dr. Donghun Shin of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine gave a seminar to the Department of Biology in which he described his efforts to understand liver regeneration.

Dr. Shin’s research utilizes the zebrafish model system in studies aimed at identifying the crucial steps involved in the regeneration of liver tissue after a loss of hepatocytes due to damage or disease. Zebrafish have remarkable power to regenerate nearly all of their livers after tissue loss, and Dr. Shin (at right in photo) has uncovered several key elements of the regeneration process, including the finding that hepatocytes may form from other liver cells which have undifferentiated. Efforts in his laboratory continue in the hopes of identifying the genes expressed during liver regeneration and how regeneration relates to the early stages of liver formation in the embryo.

Dr. Shin’s visit was hosted by Dr. Cuong Diep (left) of the IUP Department of Biology.

The seminar was an overview of her methods to integrate service-based learning into undergraduate biology classroom exercises. Her visit, hosted by Dr. Carl Luciano, provided the department an opportunity to learn more about Dr. Trun’s successful efforts to integrate service learning into both her personal research program as well as the undergraduate biology curriculum at Duquesne.

As part of a multi-organizational cooperative, Dr. Trun and her colleagues direct student research on the zoonotic threats posed by feral cats in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, via genetic analyses of cat microbiomes. Students conduct hands-on, relevant research while gaining supervised experience in the analysis and communication of their scientific progress. Outcome assessments demonstrate that students participating in this National Science Foundation-funded program come away with improved analytical and writing skills and rate their experiences very highly.

Efforts are now underway to partner IUP’s Biology education program with Dr. Trun’s service-learning consortium.

Dr. Irani’s work focused upon manipulation of host immune function by the pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium avium, which causes tuberculosis in immuno-compromised human subjects.

The conference took place at Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex and was designed to showcase for the trustees outstanding faculty/staff/student programs and projects. PACT trustees, drawn from across the PASSHE schools, came to IUP to learn more about the programs and accomplishments of IUP faculty members and their students.

Rocco and Cebula conducted part of the immunological research while training with Dr. Irani, and both then graduated from IUP in Spring 2011. Rocco is now enrolled in an M.D. program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, while Cebula is in an M.D. program at Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Miller submitted the proposals in April 2011 for research he is conducting as he finishes his Biology Honors thesis.

The award competition was open to all students at Pennsylvania colleges and universities for work in the natural, physical, and social sciences, as a part of efforts by the Pennsylvania Academy of Science to support science education and research within the commonwealth.

Miller authored the proposals based upon his work with Dr. Paul Nealen in the IUP Department of Biology, with whom he has conducted research since his arrival at IUP.

Students planted over 250 square feet of the green roof on Weyandt Hall during class on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

Students also measured effectiveness of plants of different functional types at retaining water in an experiment that was set up several months ago during the Spring semester.

Plants and specially engineered growth medium were donated by Eisler Landscapes, of Prospect, Pa. The modular growing trays were donated in part by Green Roof Outfitters (Charleston, S.C.).

Department of Biology

Students and faculty from IUP (plus one student from Shippensburg) spent twenty-two days travelling through national parks, wildlife reserves, and a private game ranch to learn about the biology and the business of wildlife in the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland. The group also visited cultural sites in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The group travelled from Pittsburgh to Johannesburg and began their African experience with a visit to Soweto, the Mandela House, and the Apartheit Museum, followed by a cultural immersion experience at the Rooftop Market.

Next, they travelled to Kruger National Park for three days of viewing large and small wildlife in their natural habitat. The group observed numerous herbivores of many species, including the very rare sable antelope, at least fifty species of bird life, elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, cheetah, and leopard. There was also a close encounter with a pride of lions who wanted to cross the road where the group’s vehicle was parked.

In Swaziland, the group enjoyed two nights at a primitive bush camp complete with traditional Swazi dancers, observed rhinoceros at first hand, and visited a snake rescue facility in Simunye.

The group continued south to the iSimangaliso UN World Biodiversity site on the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa and travelled on to Cape Town. In and around South Africa’s Mother City, the group toured Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Cape of Good Hope, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Cape Town also offered cultural activities such as museums, shopping, restaurants, and a trip out to Robben Island. The trip ended at Marula Lodge near the Limpopo River, a working game ranch and nyala breeding facility, where students observed and participated in day-to-day activities.

This opportunity for travel and global learning has been offered as a summer option for IUP and PASSHE students since 1989. Faculty, staff, family, and friends may also participate.

Student participants in 2011 included Derek Clawson, Emily Hughes, Paige Wisniewski, and Laura Nelson. Faculty participants included Rita Drapkin and Nancy Schellinger. The faculty leader for the trip was Dr. Carl Luciano. You can contact him for more information at luciano@iup.edu or 724-357-2352, or see the Biology Africa course website.

After a brief introductory and orientation session, teams of students worked their way around Weyandt Hall, visiting the offices and labs of the Biology faculty and doing their best to answer questions posed by the faculty members. Door prizes were awarded at the end of the evening, as the faculty welcomed the students to the Biology major.

The NSTA Board of Directors is composed of ten NSTA members along with the organization’s president, president-elect, and past president. The group meets monthly to review all issues brought to its attention and has final authority on all attended matters.

This book was written for science teachers at all levels. It includes practical and inexpensive activities intended to help students develop their observation and inquiry skills as well as an appreciation for the natural environment. The wide-ranging activities cover topics such as simple and complex plants, gardens, insects and other invertebrates, vertebrates, energy, how animals work, and Earth science.

The activities have been tested in many settings, including K–12 classrooms, youth camp programs, and science education classes in teacher preparation programs.

Their 2006 publication, Ferns and Fern Allies of Pennsylvania, is currently being distributed through Penn State Press.

Presenters from IUP included Zachary Ankney, Brennan Cebula, Timothy Herbold, Donald Miller, Joseph Reichard, and Joseph Rocco. There were approximately 140 individuals registered for the conference this year, and students from many of the SSHE schools presented fifteen platform talks and displayed forty-nine posters. Several IUP students won awards at the conference. These include:

• Rocco, J.M., B. Cebula, and V.R. Irani, first-place poster: “Session IIb, Ecological and Organismal Biology for Effect of Mycobacterium avium Serovar-2 and Serovar-8 Specific Glycopeptidolipids on Modulation of Host Macrophage Immune Responses”
• Ankney, Z.J. and Nealen, P.M., first-place poster: “Session Ia, Ecological and Organismal Biology for Influence of Body Posture on Pulmonary Flow Rates”
• Miller, D.A. & P. M. Nealen, first-place poster: “Session Ib, Ecological and Organismal Biology for Anticipatory Physiological Changes Mediate Immediate Cardiovascular Demands at the Onset of Human Exercise”
• Herbold, T.M., H.J. Travis and W. Waryck, second-place platform presentation: “Platform Presentation Session III: Secondary Education, Ecological and Organismal Biology, Cell/Molecular for High School Biology Analysis of Student Learning Using Various Forms of Pre and Post Assessments”

This opportunity for travel and global learning is intended as a for-credit summer class option for IUP students, but faculty, staff, family, and friends may participate, if places are available.

There will be an information session about the South Africa program on Thursday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 6 of Weyandt Hall. All interested parties are invited to attend.

For more information, contact Dr. Carl Luciano at luciano@iup.edu or 724-357-2352, or see the course website.

Dr. Travis described a collaboration with Dr. Patrick Angel (Office of Surface Mining and the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative), OSM Vista volunteer Elizabeth Fees (Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team), IUP pre-service elementary students completing their life science content course, and teachers and students in areas served by current reforestation efforts.

IUP pre-service teachers developed earthworm lesson plans and rearing protocols which were distributed to teachers in Virginia and Kentucky. Elementary and middle school students in these areas then raised and released earthworms in old surface mine reclamation areas where young trees had been planted in order to increase tree survival.

A complete description of this project was also published in the Proceedings for the 2010 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.

This is a two-year project to develop a landmanager’s guide for the creation of Golden-winged Warbler breeding habitat in forested areas of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The Golden-winged Warbler is one of the most critically threatened vertebrate species in the eastern United States, and habitat management is believed to be the most important step in the conservation of this species.

Project partners include the American Bird Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Wheatall’s research on the “Effects of White-Tailed Deer on Insect Communities in the Allegheny Hardwoods” is supervised by Dr. Tim Nuttle, assistant professor of Biology.

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics sponsored the program April 19, 2010, as part of Research Appreciation Week, highlighting scholarly accomplishments of female undergraduate/graduate students and faculty.

• Joseph M. Rocco (Research advisor: Dr. Vida R. Irani) won first place in the Cellular and Molecular Biology category for his poster presentation titled “Can Activation of Host Immune Response With IFN-γ and PAM3CYSK4 Enhance Mycobacterium avium Clearance?”.
• Donald A. Miller (Research advisor: Dr. Paul M. Nealen) won second place in the Ecology and Organismal Category for his poster presentation titled “Anticipatory Sympathetic Adjustments and Coordination of Human Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physiological Systems to Physical Activity.”

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB) was founded in 1973 as an organization to provide support for the teaching and research activities of faculty in the biological sciences from the fourteen state-owned universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Its activities have included scientific meetings, symposia, and institutes for the enhancement of the professional development of its members and associates. It also provides a forum for graduate and undergraduate students for the presentation of their research.

Forum participation is designed to foster scholarship and collegiality among undergaduate students and faculty members and to provide a forum for undergraduate students to discuss their academic work with a community of scholars.

The following students (and their advisors) were recognized at the awards ceremony:

Best Scholarly Presentation

Honorable mention: Amber Byas (Dr. Knoch)
“The Effect of Synaptic Zn2+ within the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus on the Light/Dark Cycle”

Sigma Xi Best Science Posters

First place: Kenneth Glassford (Dr. S. Bharathan)
“Tumor Suppressor Gene p53 as a Prognostic Indicator for Prostate Cancer”

Third place: Donald Miller (Dr. Nealen)
“Anticipatory Sympathetic Adjustments and Coordination of Human Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physiological Systems to Physical Activity”

CPUB Award

The title of Joe Rocco’s research project is “Are Serovar-specific Glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium avium Responsible for Modulating the Host Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction Pathways?” Joe is conducting his research in the laboratory of Dr. Vida Irani.

Elite 88 Academic Award

The Elite 88 Academic Award is presented to one person at each of the 88 national championships sponsored by the NCAA, based on undergraduate cumulative grade-point average. The recipient must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Rocco, of Northern Cambria, Pa., has a 3.949 grade-point average through his first five semesters at IUP. He is a Biology major who plans on attending medical school following his graduation in May 2011. Find more information on the IUP Athletics website: Joe Rocco Honored as Recipient of NCAA Elite 88 Academic Award.

This is a two-year project to study the tree seedling survival and growth on reclaimed surface mines in northcentral Pennsylvania. This work will target the reforestation of approximately 240 acres. The project will be conducted primarily on state managed property. Project partners include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The podcast is episode #68, “Ode to a Plaque” and can be viewed at This Week in Virology.

Department of Biology

The awards were:

• $373 to Erica Meyers to study “Identification of the Floal Scent Compounds Emitted by Symplocarpus foetidus.” Erica is supervised by Dr. Sandy Newell.
• $992 to Mickey Moffe to study “Influence of Metal Concentrations, Percent Salinity and Length of Exposure on the Metabolic Rate of Golden Shiners.” Mickey is supervised by Dr. David Pistole.
• $1,000 to Lauren Wheatall to study “The Effects of White-tailed Deer Browing on Insect Diversity in the Allegheny Hardwood Forests.” Lauren is supervised by Dr. Tim Nuttle.

This is a two-year project to study the tree seedling survival and growth on reclaimed surface mines in northcentral Pennsylvania. This work will target the reforesation of approximately 240 acres.

The project will be conducted primarily on state-managed property.

Project partners include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The podcast is episode #68, “Ode to a Plaque.” The IUP student questions are answered about two-thirds of the way through the episode.

Department of Biology

The Outstanding Reseacher award recognizes faculty members for their dedication, perserverance, and outstanding work in externally sponsored research. A reception will be held November 4, 2009, in the Breezdale Library from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

This is a two-year project to study White Nose Syndrome, which is associated with widespread bat mortality in the Northeastern United States, including the endangered Indiana bat. The initiative involves states in the eastern part of the country from New Hampshire to Virginia.

Together, Larkin and Duchamp have been studying Pennsylvania’s Allegheny woodrat population. The woodrat can provide vital information about forest health.

In an earlier interview, Larkin’s research on the impact of habitat changes on golden-winged warbler populations was described. The interviews were conducted by the Allegheny Front, environmental radio for Western Pennsylvania, and can be heard on the Allegheny Front website. Check the archives for the weeks of July 15 (Golden-Wing Habitat) and August 12, 2009 (Woodrats).

The symposium was held at the University of Washington in Seattle from September 8–12, 2009. Symposium attendees represented several countries including, Russia, Canada, the U.S., Poland, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, and Japan.

Award winners were:

• Thomas Melvin, “Gauging the Nature of Science for Non-Science Majors” (Faculty Advisor, Dr. Tom Lord) [Outstanding Paper Presentation Award]
• Patricia Tolu-Ajayi, "Effects of temperature on the ability of Tamoxifen (Novaldex), a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, to induce breast cancer cells to behave more like normal cells.” (Faculty Advisor, Dr. Barkley Butler) [Best Poster Award and Best Bibliography Award from IUP Libraries]
• Joseph Rocco, "Induction and Modulation of Host Murine Toll-Like Receptor-2 (TLR2) and Cytokine Responses on Infection with Different Mycobacterium avium serovars and their ssGPL Mutants" (Faculty Advisor, Dr. Vida Irani) [Sigma Xi Best Science Posters Award (second place) and Best Posters Award]
• Danielle Botelho, "Metabolic Responses of Acid Mine Drainage and Non-Acid Mine Drainage Campostoma anomalum" (Faculty Advisor, Dr. David Pistole) [Best Bibliography Award from IUP Libraries]

Joseph Rocco and Patricia Tolu-Ajayi

Professionals in the field, as well as students from IUP, Shippensburg, Juniata College, York College, Missouri State University, Chatham University, Pennsylvania State University, and Pennsylvania State University–Altoona, gave talks. Dylan Schneider was named Best Student Paper and Lindsey Heffernan, and Hance Ellington each were named runners-up for Best Student Paper.

From left: Lindsey Heffernan, Dylan Schneider, and Hance Ellington

The authors and titles of the IUP graduate student presentations were:

• DeVivo, M. T., J. E. Duchamp, J. D. Kougher, L. M. Heffernan, J. L. Larkin, J. M. DeBerti, and M. J. Gritzer. 2009. Elk Calf Survival, Movements, and Neonatal Habitat Use in Northcentral Pennsylvania. Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Wildlife Society. State College, PA. March 28.
• Ellington, H. E., S. Gess, J. E. Duchamp, J. L. Larkin, M. J. Lovallo, and M. Dzialak. 2009. Resource Selection of a Re-colonizing Fisher Population in Pennsylvania. Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Wildlife Society. State College, PA. March 28.
• Evans, A. M., J. E. Duchamp, J. L. Larkin, and M. White. A Comparison of Nest Site Characteristics Between Successful and Unsuccessful Cerulean Warbler Nests.
• Gess, S. W., H. E. Ellington, J. E. Duchamp, J. L. Larkin, and M. J. Lovallo. Characteristics of Fisher (Martes pennanti) Rest Sites in Southcentral Pennsylvania.
• Grata, J., J. L. Larkin, and J. E. Duchamp. Assessing Golden-Winged Warbler Breeding Habitat in Northcentral Pennsylvania.
• Heffernan, L. M., J. E. Duchamp, J. D. Kougher, M. T. DeVivo, J. L. Larkin, J. M. DeBerti, and M. J. Gritzer. Influence of Age, Sex, Season, and Landscape Composition on Diets of Elk in Northcentral Pennsylvania.
• Hoffman, J. N., J. E. Duchamp, and J. L. Larkin. Response of Allegheny Woodrat Populations to Varying Levels of Human Disturbance on Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania.
• Kougher, J. D., J. E. Duchamp, M. T. DeVivo, L. M. Heffernan, J. L. Larkin, J. M. DeBerti, and M. J. Gritzer. 2009. Multiple Scale Resource Selection by Elk in Northcentral Pennsylvania.
• Schneider, D. R., J. E. Duchamp, J. L. Larkin, C. Barton, and J. Cox. Salamander Communities of Ephemeral Streams in a Mixed Mesophytic Forest of Eastern Kentucky.
• Wester, J. C., J. L. Larkin, J. Humphreys, and S. Bi. Assessing Diet and Disease in a Re-colonizing Fisher Population in Pennsylvania.
• Winner, J. Z., J. L. Larkin, and C. M. Butchkoski. Migratory Patterns and Behavior of the Eastern Red Bat Along the Allegheny Mountains of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Funding was awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation via Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dr. Larkin’s research is part of a larger effort by a team of international scientists that is examining the habitat needs and demographics of this bird species that is critically threatened.

In recognition of Dr. Larkin’s grant-funded research on the Golden-winged Warbler as well as other wildlife species, including Elk, Cerulean Warbler, Allegheny Woodrat, and Fisher, he received the 2009 IUP Graduate Dean’s Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sponsored Projects.

The students are:

• Mary Mock studying “Golden-winged Warblers and Their Use of Natural Gas Well Sites” with Dr. Larkin
• Richard Biemiller studying “Seasonal Variation of Macroinvertebrates in Naturally Occurring Leaf Packs” with Dr. Brenneman
• Danielle Botelho studying ”Effects of Acid Mine Drainage on the Metabolism of Minnows” with Dr. Pistole
• Ken Glassford studying “Biology Comparison Between the Roles of Tumor Suppressor Gene p53 and Oncogene BCI-2 as Indicators for Localized Prostate Cancer Using Immunohistochemical Analysis” with Dr. Butler
• William Glassford studying “The Significance of ERα in the Doming Effect of Tamoxifen on the MCF-7 Cell Line” with Dr. Butler
• Eric Goodrich studying “The Effect of Caffeine on Circadian and Ultradian Rhythms in Paramecium tetraurelia” with Dr. Hinrichsen
• Dennis Hock studying “The Comparative Morphology and Evolutionary Similarities of Constricting Colubrids” with Dr. Pistole
• Lynda Jones studying “Biology Circadian and Ultradian Rhythms in Paramecium tetraurelia—Lithium Disruption as a Means to Ascertain Their Relationship” with Dr. Hinrichsen
• Christie Ritchey studying “The Effect of Melatonin on the Circadian Rhythims of Paramecium tetraurealia” with Dr. Hinrichsen
• Patricia Tolu-Ajayi studying “Effects of Temperature on the Ability of Tamoxifen (Novaldex), a Drug Used in the Treatment of Breast Cancer, to Induce Breast Cancer Cells to Behave More Like Normal Cells”

These include school and summer programs offered by the Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center, the Junior Naturalist Outdoor Adventure Camps run by American Adventure Sports, the Upward Bound Math and Science program offered at IUP, the Armstrong County Envirothon, and work with field trips, school visits and youth programs. She is active as chairman of the Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center Steering Committee, as coordinator for the Jefferson County Animal Response Team, and has presented teacher workshops on inquiry in science and using insects in the classroom. She is also the coauthor of a book on the ferns and fern allies of Pennsylvania.