Principal Investigator
Cy L. Mott
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Eastern Kentucky University
Science 3238
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
Phone: (859) 622-1506
E-mail: [email protected]
Current Lab Members
Graduate Research:
Maddie Mann (B.S. Biology, Hanover College). Maddie is investigating tradeoffs between larval predation risk and development of metamorphic aposematic coloration in spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). Maddie's research is funded by a graduate assistantship from Eastern Kentucky University and a mini-grant award from EKU Sponsored Programs
Dani Buchanan (B.S. Ecology, Environmental, and Evolutionary Biology, Appalachian State University). Dani is co-advised by Stephen Richter and myself, and she is investigating fitness outcomes of species interactions for spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in mesocosms designed with amphibian assemblages that replicate natural versus constructed forested ponds. Dani's research is funded by a graduate assistantship from Eastern Kentucky University and a grant-in-aid from EKU's Division of Natural Areas.
Sandra Elliott (B.S. Biology, Jacksonville State University). Sandra is investigating relationships between eutrophication of aquatic habitats and oviposition site selection in Cope's Grey Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis). Sandra's research is funded by a graduate assistantship from Eastern Kentucky University.
Past Lab Members
Graduate Students:
Ian Kratzer (M.S. Biology, 2023). Ian's research focused on optimality approaches to intraspecific body size variation in larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). He is currently and aquatic ecology technician with the Kentucky Division of Water.
Aaron Devine (M.S. Biology, 2022). Aaron's research focused on phenotypic plasticity in response to simulated climate change in populations of Jefferson salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum). He is currently a doctoral student in Molly Albecker's lab at the University of Houston.
Brady Parlato (M.S. Biology, 2022). Brady's research focused on the consumptive and non-consumptive effects of tadpole predators on freshwater macroinvertebrate and zooplankton prey communities. He is currently a doctoral student in Mike Benard's lab at Case Western Reserve University.
Josey Berta (M.S. Biology, 2019): Josey's thesis research focused on the community and ecosystem consequences of amphibian top predator loss due to invasive honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Josey is employed as a teacher with the Williamsburg Independent School District.
David Smith (M.S. Biology, 2019): David's thesis research focused on relationships between maternal diversity, larval size variation, and associated ecosystem functioning in aquatic mesocosms. David is employed as an Environmental Biologist I with the Kentucky Division of Water.
Robin Baker (M.S. Biology, 2018, Murray State University; co-advisor, advised by Howard Whiteman): Robin's thesis research focused on the influence of intraspecific body size variation of an apex predator on aquatic trophic cascades. Robin works as a GIS Technician for a water resource utility.
Undergraduate Researchers:
Shelby Peckham
Idris Irihamye
Abby Odegard
Marina DiBiase
Maris Weihe
Lexi Robison
Emily Robinson
Renae Steinberger
Austin Owens
Meranda Quijas
Sondra Burden
Evan Moser
Taylor Allen
Claire Riddle
Austin Farson
Emily Hoard
Catherine Triplett
Matt Keen
Hannah Pittman
Haris Dzaferbegovic
Shelby Timm
Mike Steffen
Robert Rice
Coty Fields
Stephanie Aguiar
Shaundon Moore
Brad Hartmann
Adrianne Smith
Russell Milam
Reanne Harris
Stephens Griner
Larae Seeman
Scott Albert
Brian Willey
Crystal Haas
Undergraduate Lab Assistants:
Brian Herrick
Sally Eklund
Jenna Fenwick
Kelsey Hoskins
Tristen Moyer
Samantha Hoffman
Katy Cody
Abby Nemec
Emily Mauntel
Ian Kratzer (M.S. Biology, 2023). Ian's research focused on optimality approaches to intraspecific body size variation in larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). He is currently and aquatic ecology technician with the Kentucky Division of Water.
Aaron Devine (M.S. Biology, 2022). Aaron's research focused on phenotypic plasticity in response to simulated climate change in populations of Jefferson salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum). He is currently a doctoral student in Molly Albecker's lab at the University of Houston.
Brady Parlato (M.S. Biology, 2022). Brady's research focused on the consumptive and non-consumptive effects of tadpole predators on freshwater macroinvertebrate and zooplankton prey communities. He is currently a doctoral student in Mike Benard's lab at Case Western Reserve University.
Josey Berta (M.S. Biology, 2019): Josey's thesis research focused on the community and ecosystem consequences of amphibian top predator loss due to invasive honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Josey is employed as a teacher with the Williamsburg Independent School District.
David Smith (M.S. Biology, 2019): David's thesis research focused on relationships between maternal diversity, larval size variation, and associated ecosystem functioning in aquatic mesocosms. David is employed as an Environmental Biologist I with the Kentucky Division of Water.
Robin Baker (M.S. Biology, 2018, Murray State University; co-advisor, advised by Howard Whiteman): Robin's thesis research focused on the influence of intraspecific body size variation of an apex predator on aquatic trophic cascades. Robin works as a GIS Technician for a water resource utility.
Undergraduate Researchers:
Shelby Peckham
Idris Irihamye
Abby Odegard
Marina DiBiase
Maris Weihe
Lexi Robison
Emily Robinson
Renae Steinberger
Austin Owens
Meranda Quijas
Sondra Burden
Evan Moser
Taylor Allen
Claire Riddle
Austin Farson
Emily Hoard
Catherine Triplett
Matt Keen
Hannah Pittman
Haris Dzaferbegovic
Shelby Timm
Mike Steffen
Robert Rice
Coty Fields
Stephanie Aguiar
Shaundon Moore
Brad Hartmann
Adrianne Smith
Russell Milam
Reanne Harris
Stephens Griner
Larae Seeman
Scott Albert
Brian Willey
Crystal Haas
Undergraduate Lab Assistants:
Brian Herrick
Sally Eklund
Jenna Fenwick
Kelsey Hoskins
Tristen Moyer
Samantha Hoffman
Katy Cody
Abby Nemec
Emily Mauntel