• A. B., Princeton University, 1972
• M.S., State University of New York at Binghamton, 1976
• Ph.D., State University of New York at Binghamton, 1981
• Postdoctoral Positions: The Rockefeller University, with Drs. Peter Marler and John Wingfield, 1981-1988
  
  
  

• BIOL 227 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 228 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• ZOOL 401 Human Physiology
• ZOOL 515 Avian Physiology
• ZOOL 535 Behavioral Endocrinology
• BIOL 595 Readings and Conference
• BIOL 598 Graduate Seminar
  
  

Behavioral endocrinology - One general focus of my research is the relationship betweenhormones and behavior. I study this relationship both in thefield and in the laboratory. Free-living animals areobservedclosely to determine their mating status, breeding stage,and/or social rank. These animals are capturedand ablood sample is taken quickly. My radioimmunoassay laboratory can measure plasma steroid hormones levels, such as testosterone, estradiol and corticosterone. Additional nutritional and metabolic parameters from the blood can be assessed with anautoanalyzer. Further manipulation and testing can be done oncaptive animals. Using these tools I canobtain an indication of an animal's body condition, its level of stress, and hormonal correlates of aggressive, territorial or reproductive behavior, etc. Aspects of my work are applicable to conservation biology, through exploration of the ecological and physiological responses of animals to environmental perturbation.

Feathers, breeding sites, and stable isotopes - Two of my current graduate students are using stable isotope analysis of feathers to link raptors (Northern goshawks and red-tailed hawks) to their breeding grounds. The process works like this: Elements occur in multiple forms, or isotopes, which differ in the number of neutron they contain. For example, the most common form of hydrogen, 1H, has a single neutron, whereas the deuterium isotope, 2H, has two. The ratio of these isotopes in the environment varies with latitude. When animals feed, stable isotopes of an element are incorporated into their tissues in the same ratio as in the environment. For most tissues this is a dynamic process, and the isotope signature of a tissue changes as the animal moves to new areas and ingests nutrients containing different isotopic ratios. But feathers become inert after they develop. Thus, the isotopic signature of the environment in which the feather developed is locked into the feather and remains constant, even if the bird migrates to a different latitude. The stable isotope ratios of feathers collected during migration or on wintering grounds can be determined by mass spectrometry, and the general latitudinal range in which the bird grew the feather, which is usually the breeding grounds, can be estimated.

Natal dispersal - I am interested in the relationship among hormones, body condition, and natal dispersal in animals. Dr. James Belthoff and I conducted an NSF-sponsored study of these factors in fledgling western screech-owls. By combining field and laboratory studies, using observational and manipulative techniques, we investigated the factors that determine when a bird leaves its natal territory. I also have been looking at the effect of stress during pregnancy on dispersal behavior of offspring in the common lizard in France.

Brood parasitism - A long-term focus of my research is the behavior and ecology of the brood parasitic brown-headed cowbird. Cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests, and these foster-parents frequently raise the young cowbirds as if they were their own. This unusual breeding strategy, with its absence of parental care, has physiological and behavioral implications for cowbirds. I have explored the hormonal correlates of breeding activity in thisspecies, as well as the use of vocalizations in cowbird social interactions. I also am examining the relationship between cowbirds and an infrequently-used host, the yellow-headed blackbird.

Recent Graduate Students

Berg, Melanie (2009) - Teaching middle school in Arizona.
Thesis title:  Yolk Androgens and Development in American Kestrel Nestlings

Butler, Mike (2006) – Currently in a doctoral program in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University.
Thesis title: Neonatal Stress and Avian Development: Effects on Growth, Immune Function, and Plumage

Hallingstad, Eric (2008) - Currently an environmental consultant with Bio-West, Inc.
Thesis title: Seasonal Variation in Immunocompetence and Other Physiological Parameters of the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Holman, Shanie (2001) – Currently in the Biology Department at Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland, WA.
Thesis title: The Adrenocortical Response to Handling Stress in Two Temperate-Breeding Blackbird Species

Leppert, Lynda (2002) –Currently the Senior Laboratory Veterinary Technician at the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska.
Thesis title: Heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and DNA sexing in fall migrating northern saw-whet owls and flammulated owls in Idaho

Marzot, Vittoria (2007) - Currently teaching in a private school on Long Island.
Thesis title: Seasonal Variation in Immunocompetence and Other Physiological Parameters of the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Smith, Adam (2006) –Currently in a doctoral program in the Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Rhode Island.
Thesis title: Exploring Raptor Migration using Stable Isotope Analysis: the Northern Goshawk in Western North America

Staley, Airica (2003) – Currently a Research Technician in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.
Thesis title: Noninvasive Fecal Steroid Measures for Assessing Gonadal and Adrenal Function in the Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)

Whitman, Buddy (2006) – Currently in a doctoral program in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina .
Thesis title: The Effects of Neonatal Handling on Adrenocortical Responsiveness, Morphological Development, and Corticosterone Binding Globulin in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Current Graduate Students

Donohue, Kara – Thesis topic: Stable isotopes in migrating Red-tailed hawk feathers

Gardner, Charles – Thesis topic: Corticosterone and fledging in American kestrels

Korte, Allison – Thesis topic: The effects of urbanization on avian abundance and diversity along the Boise River

O’Keeffe, John – Thesis topic: Flight strategy and oxidative stress in migrating raptors

I seek self-motivated students who are interested in investigating the physiology and/or behavior of vertebrates, and who would like to learn field and laboratory techniques. I enjoy working with students and will spend the time that is necessary to train them to conduct their research projects. I do not micro-manage my students, and I expect them to be mature and responsible about completing their studies. I allow them latitude in developing their projects, and my door is always open to discuss questions and to solve problems.