Faculty with interests in herps at IPFW:

Bruce Kingsbury is Professor of Biology at IPFW, and Director of the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management (the " Herp Center"). Dr. Kingsbury is actively involved in a number of research projects on endangered reptiles, including the Copperbelly Water Snake, Eastern Massasauga, Timber Rattlesnake, and Blanding's and Spotted Turtles. His field projects rely heavily on radio telemetry and GIS is also a common technique.

Mark Jordan has interests in the application of molecular techniques to questions pertaining to the evolution, history, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. Part of his research program involves studies of phenotypic variation and the genetic history of populations of Galapagos lava lizards (Microlophus spp.). Other opportunities exist to work on metapopulation structure and dynamics of Midwestern amphibians in remnant and restored wetlands.

Frank Paladino conducts research on sea turtle physiology and behavior, in particular with respect to the Leatherback. His study areas are principally in Costa Rica and the surrounding open oceans. Dr. Paladino is also very active with the Leatherback Trust, a conservation organization devoted to the world's largest turtle.

William Cooper is emeritus at IPFW. He studies behavioral ecology of lizards. He currently emphasizes antipredatory and foraging behaviors. He is testing predictions of optimal escape theory, studying pursuit deterrent signaling and tail autotomy, and developing new theories about these defenses. Cooper has been examining lizard foraging behavior and its importance in affecting morphological, behavioral, life historical, and taxonomic diversity of lizards. Graduate students can conduct observational and experimental field studies of antipredatory behavior and foraging. Laboratory studies on these topics and chemosensory behavior are additional possibilities for graduate studies. He is not taking graduate students at this time.