With any work in progress it is important to periodically take a step backward and view the larger picture. Our programs in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Environmental Biology continue to expand and mature. Here we share news of our activities during the calendar year 2002 with alumni, students, and faculty.

Contents:

Return to Biology Homepage

Clarion Universityâs new degree program in Environmental Biology will provide students with additional educational opportunities, including studying marine biology. "The program is unique in stressing a field-based, hands-on approach to a study of the environment, which prepares the student for entering the job market or continuing study at the graduate level," says Steve Harris, chair of Biology. "The degree offers students a choice between a generalized track or specializations in freshwater ecology, terrestrial ecology, or marine ecology.

Environmental biology is interdisciplinary in nature and Clarionâs degree will reflect this by involving coursework in biology, earth science, geology, chemistry, and mathematics. It will also require a field experience competency in which the student completes a field-based methods class, studies at a recognized field station, conducts independent research, or completes an internship.

"Weâre particularly excited about the Marine Biology option. This option is available through our membership in the Marine Science Consortium at Wallops Island, VA. Clarion University has a similar cooperative arrangement with the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology. Clarion students have an opportunity to take field classes in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecology at these field stations."

The new degree continues a long tradition in environmental studies centered in Clarion Universityâs Biology Department. In recent years, students and faculty have worked on the restoration of mine-acid impacted streams; in environmental and ecological studies in the Allegheny National Forest; and in environmental microbiology. The University also recently established a Center for Natural Resources and the Environment to serve as a focal point for regional environmental studies, to coordinate environmental outreach activities, and to promote partnerships with various agencies interested in the environment. For more information, contact Steve Harris (harris@clarion.edu).

Clarion University students pursuing a B.S. in Biology have long had the option of earning a concentration in Ecology, but now the name of this degree option has been changed to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The primary goal of the EEB program is to prepare students for advanced, graduate-level studies in organismal biology. Course requirements for this degree option have also been adjusted in order to allow students more flexibility. Like the Environmental Biology program, Clarionâs EEB concentration emphasizes field-based research experiences. With the guidance and support of faculty, students apply scientific methods and theories learned in the classroom to their own research in the field, discovering first-hand how populations, communities, and ecosystems function. For more information, contact Andy Turner (aturner@clarion.edu).

Since the inception of Clarion Universityâs graduate program in Biology in the 1970s, Ecology and Environmental Science has been the keystone of the program. In recognition of this strength, we have created an Environmental Science concentration within the M.S. Biology degree.

Students choosing to pursue this degree option will be required to take courses in geographic information systems and public policy and planning, in addition to courses in the natural sciences. We have also added flexibility to the program by establishing a non-thesis option, in addition to the existing thesis option. Students choosing the non-thesis option will be required to complete 30 hours of coursework (as opposed to 24 for the thesis option), and will conduct an independent study project. Students who choose this route can finish a M.S. in a single year by taking summer classes at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology or Wallops Island Marine Laboratory. For more information on our graduate programs, contact Andy Turner (aturner@clarion.edu).

We continue to make progress in raising funds to support the Distinguished Faculty Ecology Research and Scholarship Fund. The long-term goal is to build the endowment to the point that we can annually award an undergraduate scholarship. Recent fundraising efforts include the Turner-Montgomery wedding, which featured a spirited fundraising competition between the Biology and Physics departments. Physics is claiming a narrow victory in the competition to raise scholarship funds, but we feel that ballots were biased and poll closing times unclear. This isnât over yet: please consider helping us in our efforts to raise money for this worthwhile cause (beating Physics). Contact the Clarion University Foundation at 814-393-2572, and tell them you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Endowed Ecology Fund (account #3501102).

Back to Top

Krock, S.L.* and C.E. Williams. 2002. Allelopathic potential of the alien shrub glossy buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula L.: a laboratory bioassay. J. Penn. Acad. Sci. 76:17-21.

Harris, S.C., and A.C. Keth. 2002. Two new microcaddisflies (Tricoptera:Hydroptilidae) from Alabama and Florida. Entomological News 113:73-79.

Harris, S.C. 2002. New species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from northern Florida. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 71: 47-57.

Harris, S.C., R.W. Holzenthal, and O.S. Flint, Jr. 2002. Review of the Neotropical genus Bredinia (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae: Stactobiini). J. New York Entomol.Soc. 110: 13-45.

Harris, S.C., O.S. Flint, Jr., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2002. Review of the Neotropical genus Flintiella (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae: Stactobiini). J. New York Entomol. Soc. 110: 65-90.

Harris, S.C., O.S. Flint, Jr., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2002. Two new genera of Hydroptilidae from the Neotropics (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae: Stactobiini). J. New York Entomol. Soc. 110: 49-64.

Harris, S.C. and O.S. Flint, Jr. 2002. New Alisotrichia (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Central and South America and the Greater Antilles. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 104: 195-210.

Keiper, J.B. and S.C. Harris. 2002. Biology and immature stages of Ochrotrichia footei (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae), a new microcaddisfly from a torrential mountain stream. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 104: 291-299.

McPherson, R.J., F.K. Ammer*, T.H. Martin, and L. Bernatchez. 2002. Use of single strand conformation polymorphism analysis to identify sequence variation in a 356-base region of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) mitochondrial DNA. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 76:22-26.

Rubino, D.L.*, C.E. Williams and W.J. Moriarity. 2002. Herbaceous layer contrast and alien species presence in utility corridors and riparian forests of the Allegheny High Plateau. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 129:125-135.

Turner, A.M., and S.L. Montgomery. 2002. Spatial and temporal scales of predator avoidance: experiments with fish and snails. Ecology 84 (in press).

Williams, C.E. 2002. Biodiversity and the hygiene hypothesis. Natural Areas Journal. 22:258-259.

Williams, C.E. 2002. Lessons from Pigeon. Natural Areas Journal 22:179.

Williams, C.E. 2002. The false dichotomy. Natural Areas Journal 22:87.

Williams, C.E. 2002. The perpetual drama of conservation. Natural Areas Journal 22:1-2.

Back to Top

Boes, C.*, and A.M. Turner. 2003. Behavior, morphology and the coexistence of two pulmonate snails with molluscivorous fish: a comparative approach. American Malacological Bulletin (in review).

Keth, A.C. 2003. A new species of Agarodes Banks (Tricoptera: Sericostomatidae) constituting a monotypic subgenus from southwestern Virginia. Jeffersoniana (in review)

Seiler, S.M., and A.M. Turner. 2003. Growth and population size of crayfish in headwater streams: individual- and higher-level effects of acidification. Journal of the North American Benthological Society (in review)

Turner, A.M. 2003. Nonlethal effects of predators on prey growth depend on environmental context. Oikos (in review)

Back to Top

Turner, A.M. Trait-mediated indirect interactions in the littoral food web: why phenotypic plasticity matters to a community ecologist. Invited seminar, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Dakota (2/22/02)

Turner, A.M. Nonlethal effects of predators on behavior and growth of Physa integra: comparing mesocosm and field experiments. Invited paper, 68^th Annual Meeting of the American Malacological Society, Charleston, South Carolina (8/6/02)

Turner, A.M. The scent of death: population- and community-level consequences of predator avoidance in aquatic systems. Invited seminar, Department of Biology, Slippery Rock University (11/08/02)

Williams, C.E. The good the bad and the ugly: sorting out the impacts of alien species. AAUW, Clarion, PA (11/06/02)

Williams, C.E. Lifting the barriers: globalization and bioinvasions. Slipper Rock University Sustainable Systems Seminar Series, Slippery Rock, PA (12/04/02).

Back to Top

Coombs, J.A., F.K. Ammer*, and R.J. McPherson. Local populations in patches or is it a metapopulation? A case study using molecular markers. Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society, Pittsburgh, PA (poster)

Edenborn, H.M., and T.O. Morrow. Effects of biodegradable polymer amendments on bacterial sulfate reduction activity in the sediments of a passive acid mine drainage treatment system. Annual Meeting, American Society of Microbiology, Salt Lake City, Utah (poster)

George, B.P.*, and T.O. Morrow. A longitudinal study of four successive alkalinity producing systems in western Pennsylvania. Am. Soc. of Mining and Reclamation, Lexington, KY (poster)

Harris, S.C.. Endemic microcaddisflies from the panhandle region of Florida. Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2002 (paper)

R.J. McPherson, C.J. Lee*, F.K. Ammer*, J.L. Smith*, T.L. Barnette*, T.H. Martin and C. Phillips*. Wild brook trout population structure in a land of many abuses: Case studies from western Pennsylvania using genetic markers. Proceedings: East Coast Trout Manangement and Culture Workshop.

Turner, A.M., and S.L. Montgomery. Spatial and temporal scales of predator avoidance: experiments with fish and snails. Annual Meeting, North American Benthological Society, Pittsburgh, PA (paper)

Turner, S.E., and A.M. Turner. Effects of acidity on the reproductive success and breeding site selection of two amphibians. Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society, Pittsburgh, PA (poster)

Schrecengost, M.A.*, B.P. George*, T.O. Morrow, and A.M. Turner. The Longevity and Long-Term Effectiveness of Passive Treatment Systems in Removing Metals and Acidity From Acid Mine Discharges. Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society, Pittsburgh, PA (poster)

Williams, C.E. Influence of soil and landform on invasion of riparian savanna by glossy buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula. Natural Areas Conference; Asheville, NC; October 2002 (paper)

Back to Top

The Center for Natural Resources and the Environment (CNRE) at Clarion University has received its first grant. A $50,000 grant from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania will fund an assessment of agricultural use and potential of reclaimed mine lands in Pennsylvania. Chuck Williams, CNRE's director, authored the successful grant proposal and will serve as the project's director.

Abandoned and reclaimed mine lands are scattered across the bituminous and anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania. "Little attention has paid to post-mining uses of these lands, but a common trend in reclamation of surface mines in Pennsylvania is an attempt to return the land to its pre-mining condition," says Williams. "However, alternate land uses may be more productive and may do more to stimulate, develop, and sustain rural economies in the short and long-term than some pre-mining uses."

"Our goal in this project is to compile, review, and synthesize published literature, reports, and databases on agricultural practices on mine lands in Pennsylvania and the Appalachian region," says Williams. "We will also conduct on-farm assessments of agricultural practices in three coal producing regions of the state: the anthracite fields of eastern Pennsylvania, the southwestern counties bordering West Virginia, and the northwestern coal fields of Clarion, Jefferson, and Clearfield counties. Ultimately we hope to identify a set of agricultural systems that can be applied to mine lands in Pennsylvania and that make economic and environmental sense."

Clarion Universityâs CNRE was established to promote trans-disciplinary scholarship and learning in environmental issues, galvanize environmental programs at the University, and to serve as a clearinghouse for information on environmental issues that effect the region. For further information on CNRE, contact Dr. Chuck Williams, Department of Biology, at 814-393-1936 or cwilliams@clarion.edu.

Students at Clarion University and the University of Minnesota will experience unique research opportunities thanks to a $749,149 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. With the awarding of this grant, Clarion Universityâs Department of Biology currently is the home of three active NSF funded, student-related research projects.

"This is not only a remarkable achievement for faculty in the biology department, but a reflection of Clarion Universityâs commitment to scholarship," says Dr. Steven Harris, chair of Clarion Universityâs Biology Department and one of the recipients of the most recent grant. The NSF promotes and advances scientific progress in the U.S. by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The grants are among the most competitive of all scientific grants, and the most difficult to secure.

The award to Harris, Ralph Holzenthal and Roger Blahnik of the University of Minnesota is a five-year NSF Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy grant. Harris says the research goal is "to build a firm taxonomic foundation for Trichoptera in tropical biomonitoring programs. Because the taxonomy of the order is based on the adult form, and because most of the fauna is undescribed, initial phases of the project will concentrate on identifying the fauna of the region."

"The caddisfly research also ties in with Clarion Universityâs new bachelorâs degree in environmental biology," says Harris. "One area of the major we would like to develop is an option in tropical ecology. Such an option would be a wonderful opportunity for our students and be unique among the State System."

Research possibilities for Clarion University students studying ecology and environmental biology will improve because of a $76,900 grant from the National Science Foundation to Roger McPherson for purchase of an automated genetic analyzer and the associated software for research and training in systematics and ecology. This system allows faculty and student researchers at Clarion University to carry out gene sequencing activities and to use genetic markers that can determine the genetic profile, or "genetic fingerprint," of individuals and populations on a small geographic scale with a high degree of resolution. With the grant, Clarion becomes one of the few universities of its size to use this type of technology.

"Using the machine will cut research time dramatically." Says McPherson. "Information that previously took four or five days to determine will now be available in hours." McPherson also says the cost of analyzing samples will be reduced drastically. During the past five years, McPherson and a group of students, undergraduates and graduate students have successfully used molecular techniques to indirectly measure the dispersal of cold water fishes in watersheds subjected to various pollution impacts. These impacts affect the movement of stream fishes, and have potentially changed their genetic makeup. The acquisition of the genetic analyzer strengthens an already strong program in ecology and environmental biology at Clarion University. "The use of new technology and molecular techniques in ecology will better prepare our students for positions for an ever changing job market or continued education at the graduate level," continues McPherson.

The new technology will also be used collaboratively with students and faculty from West Virginia University and Penn State University. "These collaborations give our students the opportunity to work on an equal basis with researchers from other, larger institutions," says McPherson. "The opportunity to Înetworkâ with other researchers gives our students another edge upon leaving college and furthers the image of Clarion University as a leader in the use of technology in the study of ecology."

Back to Top

To many people, the call of the ocean is loud, even in landlocked areas. Marie Schrecengost, a senior environmental biology major, is one who hears that call. Schrecengost was a summer intern at the Wallops Island Marine Science Center at Wallops Island, Va. Clarion University has full membership in the Marine Science Consortium (MSC) Inc., a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to promoting teaching and research in the marine sciences. Each year, the Center selects four or five students nationwide to be a part of its paid internship program.

Last summerâs paid internship was to study the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin in its home environment. "I am really excited," says Schrecengost. "Everyone wants to work with dolphins. They are one of the most intelligent creatures and we are still learning about them." Schrecengost worked with project director Simon Beeching of Slippery Rock University.

Clarion University has provided varied educational opportunities for Schrecengost. This is her third consecutive summer in a University sponsored program. Two years ago, she spent the summer in England through Clarion Universityâs International Program office. She took a biodiversity class and a British literature course at the College of Northhampton. Last summer she was a water pollution biologist intern with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental protection assigned to Clarion, Armstrong, and Elk counties. She monitored black fly larvae and adult populations on a daily basis in assigned watersheds. The flies are important pests and may carry disease to human and domestic and wild animals. She also has conducted acid mine drainage testing and biomonitoring while working on the Mill Creek restoration project.

Schrecengost will complete her undergraduate degree in May 2003, and she wants to go on to graduate school to pursue freshwater ecology. Until she takes that next step, Schrecengost says, "Clarion is giving me a great experience. I wouldnât have the resume that I have now if I hadnât decided to come here. My professors are all supportive and Iâve had the opportunity for many outside experiences, particularly in aquatic ecology."

Two Clarion University students, Marie Schrecengost and Sarah Turner, gave poster presentations at the annual meeting of the North American Benthological Society (NABS) held in Pittsburgh. Schrecengost and Turner were among the few undergraduate students invited to present at the meeting, and they were the only students from a SSHE institution presenting at the meeting.

Schrecengost presented "The Longevity and Long-Term Effectiveness of Passive Treatment Systems in Removing Metals and Acidity From Acid Mine Discharges." Her research was conducted with Brendan George, Terry Morrow, and Andrew Turner. "We evaluated the long-term performance of eight systems ranging in age from six to 11 years," explained Schrecengost. "Water samples collected periodically since the installation of each system were tested for acidity, alkalinity, iron, aluminum, manganese, and sulfates. The efficiency of five of the eight systems monitored remained fairly constant over time while two diminished. However, one system's efficiency progressively increased. Efficiency of the systems may be improved with the implementation of periodic maintenance."

Sarah Turner presented "Effects of Acidity on the Reproductive Success and Breeding Site Selection of Two Amphibians." Her research was conducted with Andrew Turner. "The effects of acid deposition on aquatic ecosystems are especially acute in the Allegheny Plateau of western Pennsylvania," said Turner. "We studied breeding site selection and reproductive success of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, and the wood frog, Rana sylvatica. Our data show that although wood frogs and spotted salamanders are fairly tolerant of acidity, ponds with very low pH are common and may function as ecological traps for breeding amphibians."

Michael Spence, a senior biology major at Clarion University, is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as part of a 15-week internship program sponsored by the Educational Resources Group, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Spence is one of 14 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits.

The semester-long THIS program invites students from each of the14 State System universities to participate. Spence and the other students participating in the program will attend several academic seminars during their fall semester internship. He also will complete an individualized research project as part of the program's requirements.

Gov. Mark Schweiker and DEP Secretary David Hess recognized the Mill Creek Coalition of Clarion and Jefferson Counties this summer for its commitment to watershed restoration and environmental protection. Peter Dalby, a professor of biology at Clarion University, is the Mill Creek Coalition president. "It is my great honor to congratulate the winners of the 2002 Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship," said Schweiker. "These individuals and organizations are reclaiming abandoned mine lands, protecting and restoring our valuable watersheds and reaching out to our communities to educate them about the importance of our natural resources."

The Mill Creek Coalition was formed in 1990 when 11 organizations and agencies from Clarion and Jefferson counties banded together to transform the 60-square-mile Mill Creek watershed from an area degraded by acid mine drainage (AMD) into a high-quality, cold water fishery. Advances in the treatment of acid mine drainage allowed the coalition to look at low-cost, low-maintenance and long-term methods of addressing the problem.

The coalition and its partners joined with state and federal agencies and invested nearly $2 million to address a number of problem areas. The coalition is one of the most active and experienced watershed organizations in the nation in the construction of passive AMD treatment systems. To date, 18 sites along the Mill Creek watershed area have received passive treatment systems.

"We're proud that Gov. Schweiker and Secretary Hess have recognized us for our efforts," said Dalby. "The energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers and community have been key to our success ion protecting and enhancing Pennsylvania's natural waterways and native wildlife for the enjoyment of future generations." The Mill Creek Coalition was one of 24 organizations and individuals from across the state that received the Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship.

Charles Williams, professor of biology, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for the spring of 2003. Williams and his family will travel to Iceland where he will teach historical ecology and environmental history at the University of Iceland. "Iceland is a country rich in human and ecological history and is an exceptional place to study the dynamic relationship of humans with the natural environment," says Williams. "Iceland has long history of European occupation, beginning with Celtic and Norse colonization from 700 to 800 A.D." Williams is a historical ecologist with interests in environmental issues that transcend science, politics, history, and economics, among other fields. "I strongly believe in the assertion made by Harvard Universityâs Edward O. Wilson that civilization is entering an "Age of Synthesis" in which the products of many fields will be assembled into larger, more encompassing visions and applications to improve the human condition and that of the planet," he says. "I would hope to be a spark that encourages and expands cross-disciplinary thinking and application among students and faculty at the University of Iceland."

Back to Top

We would like to use this newsletter to keep everyone updated about news regarding our alumni and faculty. Here is a haphazard sample of recent graduates we have heard from recently.

Ernest Aharrah (Emeritus Faculty) has been awarded the prestigious Eberly Award for Volunteerism, presented to an individual who has contributed personal time and effort and has demonstrated exceptional leadership as an advocate of Pennsylvania higher education. Ernie served as the first executive director of the Clarion University Alumni Association and was one of the founders of the Clarion University Foundation.

Joseph Allen (M.S. Biology 1998) is an Ecologist and GIS Manager with Mfg., Inc. in Pittsburgh. (Joe.Allen@mfgenv.com)

Frank Ammer (M.S. Biology 2000) is a PhD candidate and Instructor in the Division of Forestry, West Virginia University. Frank is using molecular markers to establish parentage of passerines nesting on reclaimed mountain top removal mining sights, and he will be doing the genetic work at Clarion University. (fammer@wvu.edu).

Randy Bernot (M.S. Biology 1999) successfully defended his Ph.D. in Fisheries Biology at Kansas State University in December, and he has accepted a post-doctoral appointment with David Lodge and Gary Lamberti at Notre Dame University. Randy has become interested in how pathogens and parasites may mediate species interactions, and he will pursue studies along these lines for his post-doctoral research work. (rjb5578@ksu.edu)

Christy Boes Mower (M.S. Biology 2001) worked as a Fisheries Technician for the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries in Ashland, VA until the state budget crunch forced cutbacks, but she promptly landed a job as a Fisheries Biologist with REI Consultants in Cool Ridge, WV. (cmboes@hotmail.com)

Paul Carrol (B.S. Biology 2000) is working as a chemist for Lab Pack in Allentown, PA. (pjcarrolljr@hotmail.com)

Vince Catalano (B.S. Biology 1999) is a graduate student in Environmental Science at Duquesne. (vcat@zoominternet.net)

Bill Codrich (Emeritus Faculty) is keeping busy through his activities as chair of the Clarion County Conservation District Board of Directors, chair of the Limestone Township water authority, and president of the Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Perhaps most importantly, Bill and Henrietta recently played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for the children in the Clarion area community.

Jason Coombs (M.S. Biology 2002) Jason entered a Ph.D. program in Ecology at UMASS where he is working on restoration of Atlantic Salmon. He is wrapping up his brook trout research conducted at Clarion, and recently published the trout genetic sequences obtained from that work.

Jennifer Demchak (M.S. Biology 1998) is Director of Special Projects at Chambers Environmental Group, Inc. in Bellefonte, PA. (jdemchak@chambersenvironmental.com)

Vince Evelsizer (M.S. Biology, 2001) is living in Clear Lake, Iowa, and working for the Iowa DNR as a wildlife biologist.

Ray Ewing (B.S. Biology 2000) lives in the Clarion area and is teaching at Brookville High School. He enjoys teaching, but misses working with aquatic inverts. (bigdogg8@hotmail.com)

Dara Hetrick (B.S. Biology 2001) lives in Perkasie, PA, where she is a zookeeper with the Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, NJ. (dara_79@hotmail.com)

Jason Jones (B.S. Biology 1999) is working at the Industrial & Dry Well Unit, Water Permits Section in Arizona.

Erin Kepple (B.S. Environmental Biology 2002) is working as a Watershed Specialist for the Warren County Conservation District

Andrew Keth (Faculty) finished his Ph.D. in Entomology at Penn State University in June, and he works as an assistant professor of Biology at Clarion University. (aketh@clarion.edu)

Kim Lanich (B.S. Biology 2002) is employed as an Environmental Biologist with Aquascape Wetland & Environmental Services in Grove City, PA. She is developing methods of sampling invertebrates in wetlands constructed to treat AMD. (klanich@aquascape-env.com)

Heather Meanor-Berkey (B.S. Biology 2000) is an Education Program Specialist at Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton, NY. (heatherlynne512@aol.com)

Terry Morrow (Faculty) enjoyed a sabbatical leave in the fall of 2002. The primary goal of his leave was to work on assessing the efficiency of passive treatment systems installed in the Mill Creek Watershed, but he also found time to fish for trout in Montana, hunt elk in Oregon, caribou in northern Canada, and deer and grouse in Pennsylvania. Hopefully he left a little game for the rest of us. (tmorrow@clarion.edu)

Darren Rubino (M.S. Biology, 1997) Darren recently defended his Ph.D. in Plant Ecology at Ohio University, has published a ton of good papers, and won a tenure-track job as assistant professor at Hanover College in Indiana. Good job Darren!

Carrie Traver (B.S. Biology 1997) is working as a Water Pollution Biologist for the DEP in the Southeast Region (Conshohocken). (ctrav@hotmail.com)

Steve Seiler (M.S. Biology 2002) is a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University, where he is pursuing a graduate degree in Geographic Information Systems. He has submitted his thesis work on crayfish in headwater streams for publication. (seilerseiler@hotmail.com)

Andy Turner (Faculty) continues his NSF-funded research of streams and ponds with students. He was married this fall to Sharon Montgomery (who most of you know as Sharon Challener) in an outdoor ceremony on the Clarion River featuring a pig roast and kayak races. (aturner@clarion.edu)

Sarah Turner (B.S. Biology, 2002) won a position as an NSF research intern at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology in the summer of 2002, where she worked with Andy Turner on studies of aquatic communities. Sarah then accepted a graduate assistantship at the University of Southern Mississippiâs Gulf Coast Marine Laboratory, where she is studying fish-invertebrate interactions and working towards a graduate degree in Marine Science. She reports that yes, you really do need to understand data analysis in order to survive in graduate school. (sarah.turner@usm.edu)

Chuck Williams (Faculty) had a busy year. He continued (and concluded) as editor of the "Natural Areas Journal", served as program chair for the Natural Areas Association Annual Meeting, conducted an assessment of agricultural practices on reclaimed minelands, and wrapped up his ten-year vegetation classification of the Allegheny National Forest. Chuck tells us that airline tickets to Iceland are reasonably priced, and we should all come visit him and his family.

Jack Williams (Emeritus Faculty) Jack recently returned from a hunting trip to the Deception Bay region of northern Canada to hunt caribou and fish for arctic char. Jack claims to have shot two fine animals, and he would show us the antlers, only they somehow got lost. You decide.

Chris Wolfgong (B.S. Biology, 2001) has accepted a position with Philip Services in Allentown, PA. They do hazardous materials removal. Chris reports that there is a lot of travel involved, but he is enjoying it. (chewseph@hotmail.com)

Back to Top

Return to Biology Homepage