 |
BIOLOGIST WANTED?
CALEB R. HICKMAN
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
last modified on March 2005
EDUCATION
___________________
• M.S., Missouri State University (MSU); Springfield, MO (August 2002)
Research: Behavioral Ecology/Herpetology
Advisor: Dr. Alicia Mathis
Thesis: “Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats.”
• B.S., Missouri Valley College (MVC); Marshall, MO (May 2000)
Major: Biology; Minor: Recreation Administration
Research Advisor: Dr. Mark Mills
Academic Advisor: Dr. Leif Youngdahl
Thesis: “Herpetofauna of Van Meter State Park.”
SKILLS
___________________
• Field: netting/trapping (mammals and herps), drift fences (herps), radio telemetry (deer and bats), mist netting (bats), electro shocking (fishes), marking techniques (salamanders, lizards, turtles, and rodents), GPS unit and compass.
• Computer: MS Word, Power Point, Minitab, Excel, SigmaPlot, some Unix, some HTML, WIKI and Dreamweaver.
• Experience with: plants, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
• Research methods: experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis with field and laboratory behavioral experiments. Have used general ecological assessment techniques. Museum preperation (insects, mammals, herps). Experience with laboratory and aseptic techniques through courses (e.g. microbiology, chemistry and various taxonomic classes).
• Interpretation and management skills: Minor of Recreation Administration. Childcare experience and development of interpretive camps for children. Public presentations of natural history and research. Teaching of general biology labs.
• Other: maintenance and grounds work, carpentry, CPR certification, and first aid training.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
___________________
• Activity patterns, diversity and ecosystem allocation of snakes at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (L.T.E.R). Steve Poe (UNM Asst. Prof.) and I are thinking of different ways to test what influences abundance of snakes (found by road cruising) in the transition habitats at Sevilleta. Strangely, we are finding all of our snakes in one habitat type so far. We are looking at both abiotic and biotic factors with historical and proximate measures in mind. New Mexico (Summer 2003-Present). Personal Research/Mostly Personal Time.
• Behavioral experiment of Kangaroo Rat and Prairie Dog mound inhabitants at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (L.T.E.R). I hope to find some links in these "keystone" mediated systems thru chemosensory and temporal and spatial niche use (with conspecific and heterospecific behaviors of ALL kinds in mind). I am interested in this method to look into community ecology questions. Not a lot done with this yet but if I get a "little" spare time I hope to put a dent in it this summer. New Mexico (Summer 2003-Present). Personal Research/Personal Time.
• Collection of soil (e.g. core sampling and infiltration), plant (e.g. taxon surveys, NPP and Phenology) and mammal (population and exclosure studies) data for various (12+) long-term research projects at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (L.T.E.R.). See http://sev.lternet.edu/ . New Mexico (Fall 2002-Fall 2004). Field Research Associate and Part-time Technician.
• Herpetofaunal survey and Anolis collection throughout Panama for UNM and Museum of Southwestern Biology. Collected and identified herpetofauna and preserved Anolis lizards for identification in assistance with evolutionary research (under supervision of Steve Poe, UNM Asst. Prof.). Steve is in the process of identifying new species and has extended ranges from this work. With any luck, I will get to help him with more of this. Dec. 2003. Volunteer Researcher.
• “Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats.” I studied 3 genera (Ambystoma, Plethodon, Eurycea) of salamanders from different habitats: pond, stream and forest in Missouri. I found that all of these salamanders use chemosensory in natural habitats but have different responses that may be linked to life history, habitat or predator type. I am particularly proud of the novel experimental designs for this study, which were important in overcoming several methodological difficulties to test behaviors in a natural setting (2000-2002). Thesis research.
• Bat survey (Prairie State Park, E. MO) funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Mostly mist netting and helped in telemetry work (Summer 2002). Volunteer.
• Hellbender salamander survey in GA, MO, NC and TN for Fish and Wildlife grant funded survey. A lot of grunt work lifting heavy rocks... (Summer 2002). Volunteer.
• Herpetofauna survey (Big Oak Tree State Park, S.E. MO) funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (Spring 2002). Volunteer.
• MSU Entomology Collection (Spring 2001-2002). Curator.
• Small mammal survey (Stockton Lake, central MO) funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (Fall 2001). Volunteer.
• Collected sex and age data of white-tailed deer at a check station in southwestern Missouri for Missouri Department of Conservation (Fall 2001). Deer check station volunteer.
• Graduate student research (MSU): Indiana bat (endangered) survey, northern Missouri; fish survey in Bull Creek, southwestern Missouri; hellbender (threatened) survey and collection in Missouri; collection and survey of lizards, box turtles, snakes (venomous and non-venomous), frogs and salamanders in Missouri; lizard collection and survey in Baja, Mexico (2000-2002). Volunteer.
• Fauna and Flora Surveys for the Department of Natural Resources at Van Meter State Park, Miami, MO. (1) Survey of reptiles and amphibians within lake, marsh, prairie, and woodland areas. Capture techniques included: hand, hoop-traps, minnow-traps, hand-net, and use of drift fences (undergraduate thesis). (2) Marsh plant and snail surveys (1999-2000). Naturalist duties.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
___________________
• Teaching Assistant, MSU (Fall 2000-Spring 2002)
o General Biology II Lab (majors): Spring 2002.
o General Biology I Lab (majors): Fall 2001.
o General Biology Lab (non-majors): Fall 2000-Spring 2001.
• Teaching Assistant: General Chemistry Laboratory, MVC (Fall 1997-Spring 1998).
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
___________________
• Scientific Research Administrator (Full-Time) Long Term Ecological Netowork office National Science Foundation funded grant (Planning Grant). University of New Mexico: Albuquerque, NM (Fall 2004-Present) Duties include:
o I was hired to assist various scientists (soil; biogeochemistry; climate; ecologists of all backgrounds; human natural systems; education, outreach, and training; cyberinfrastructure; governance) with a coordinated effort to produce Long Term and Integrated Science that could span various systems to foster synthetic, large-scale research to address the Grand Challenges in ecology (see http://www.lternet.edu/grandchallenges/).
o I developed summary publications (see LTER Network News Page 3 Vol. 18 No. 1 Spring 2005) and a collaborative wiki web page (http://intranet.lternet.edu/planning/index.php/Main_Page) that summarizes the evolution of the planning grant effort.
o General duties include: meeting logistics coordination, travel to various meeting locations, literature research, data surveying, participating in scientific working groups, collaboration facilitation and developing independent research.
• Field technician (part-time) at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (L.T.E.R) under New Mexico State University: Las Cruces, NM (Winter 2003-Fall 2004). Duties included:
o Experimental set-up and data collection for soil and vegetation studies.
• Field Research Associate (full-time) at Sevilleta (L.T.E.R) under the University of New Mexico: Albuquerque, NM (Fall 2002-Fall 2004). Duties included:
o Responsible for data collection, entry, management and QA/QC for a variety of long-term ecological research projects.
o Responsible for identification of all floras throughout a year and mammal trapping, handling and measurement techniques.
o Performing independent research (see above).
o Living at a field station 4 days a week and ~25 weeks a year (can be work in itself...)
• Research Assistantship at SMSU Bull Shoals Field Station: Branson, MO (Summer 2002). Duties included:
o Maintenance of field station house and land.
o Participated in nature educational programs.
o Assisted in fauna surveys.
• Butterfield Youth Service: Marshall, MO (Fall 1999-Summer 2000). In-house staff member for a youth service for troubled children. Duties included:
o Maintaining behavioral and activity agendas for children.
o Trained and certified with medicine distribution, physical and behavioral control and CPR techniques.
• Naturalist for Department of Natural Resources, Van Meter State Park, Miami, MO (Summer 1999-Spring 2000). Duties included:
o Developed educational programs for the public at the park and at local school areas.
o Provided guided hikes to educate the public about the parks natural areas.
o Conducted tours and made presentations about the Native American history of the park.
o Participated in a population research of the Herpetofauna, marsh plant and snail surveys.
o Maintained nature trails.
o Construction/repairs, grounds keeping, and general labor.
• Laboratory Technician: Chemistry Department, Missouri Valley College (Fall 1996-Spring 1997). Duties included:
o Maintenance of chemicals, glassware and class experiments.
PUBLICATIONS
___________________
Mathis, A., K. L. Murray, and C. R. Hickman. 2003. Do experience and body size play a role in responses of larval ringed salamanders, Ambystoma annulatum, to predator kairomones? Laboratory and field assays. Ethology 109:159-170.
Hickman, C. R., M. D. Stone, and A. Mathis. 2004. Priority use of chemical over visual cues for detection of predators by graybelly salamanders, Eurycea multiplicata griseogaster. Herpetelogica 60:203-210.
PRESENTATIONS
___________________
Hickman, C. R. and S. Poe. 2004. A preleminary report on the effect of habitat on snake abundance (POSTER). Joint Ichthyologists’ and Herpetologists' meeting. Norman, OK.
Hickman, C. R. 2004. Life After Valley: Studies and stories from a survivor. Invited Speaker. Missouri Valley College, Marshall, MO.
Hickman, C. R. 2003. Introduction to the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Long Term Ecological Research. Presented to students and professors for summer desert ecology courses. Sevilleta N.W.R., New Mexico.
Hickman, C. R. 2002. Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats. Thesis defense. SMSU, Springfield, MO.
Hickman, C. R. 2002. Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats. Joint Ichthyologists’ and Herpetologists' meeting, HL/Jaeger Student Competition. Kansas City, MO.
Hickman, C.R. and A. Mathis. 2002. Escaping the jaws of death: antipredator decisions in nature. Interdisciplinary Forum, SMSU, Springfield, MO.
Hickman, C. R. and A. Mathis. 2001. The effect of predation risk on aggressive behavior of the graybelly salamander, Eurycea multiplicata. Interdisciplinary Forum, SMSU, Springfield, MO.
Mills, M.S., C.R. Hickman, and W. Hiler. 2001. Snails snakes and students: Herpetological research at Van Meter State Park. Missouri Herpetological Association. Steeleville, MO.
HONORS AND AWARDS
___________________
• Who’s Who Award 2003 (MSU).
• Finalist, student paper competition Jaeger Award (my academic grandfather!), Herpetologists’ League, 2002. Summary of work published in: The Newsletter of the Herpetologists’ League (September 2002. Volume 9, Number 2).
• Topping Summer Research Fellowship, summer 2001 (SMSU).
• Dr. Reed Kepner Biology Award, 2000 (MVC).
• Dean’s List (MVC).
• Mr. Viking (athletic club honor but not for being a good athlete), 2000 (MVC).
• Athletic Grant/Scholarship, 1996-2000 (MVC).
ACTIVITIES
___________________
• Student Presentation Competition Judge, Ecological Society of America (2005).
• Reviewer for Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.
• Herpetologists’ League, active member.
• Partnership for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, active member.
• Missouri Herpetological Society, active member.
• Cherokee Nation, active member.
• Varsity Letterman Club, active member; President, 1999-2000 (MVC).
• Poster Judge in Albuquerque New Mexico for junior high and high school behavioral experiments (Spring 2003).
• Poster Judge at the Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair over behavioral experiments/observations (Spring 2002).
• Ozark Biology Graduate Society, member 2000-2002 (MSU).
• Missouri Valley Biology Club, member 1998-2000.
• Missouri Valley Wrestling Team, member 1996-1998 (National Champions 1996).
REFERENCES:
Provided as needed......
Below are web-pages that are related to my graduate expereince, interests, picture link (gallery), committee, and thesis work/abstracts.
I have yet to revise this with very much New Mexico stuff but see GALLERY below for some pictures. Many pictures I have taken go to the Sevilleta Web-Page below or: http://sev.lternet.edu/ in the Multimedia Gallery (a former job of mine).
PICTURES: 1) Red Milk Snake...Look at the links at bottom for more pictures
Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research
Graduate Advisor Dr. Alicia Mathis
Graduate Committee Member Dr. Brian Greene
Graduate Committee Member Dr. Lynn Robbins
Short Summary of Thesis work:
Send E-Mail to: caleb@sevilleta.unm.edu
Copyright © 2006 Caleb Hickman. All Rights Reserved