Gaff gets Math Service Award

Holly Gaff recieves Service Award from the Association for Women in Mathematics for "helping to promote and support women in mathematics through exceptional voluntary service to the association."  Read more about Holly and her award  here.

Ornithology class makes the news

ODU's Field Ornithology class led by Dr Eric Walters was at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Nov 20,2012, when his students identified a Northern Lapwing. Two ODU Biology graduate students in the class, Natasha Hagemeyer and Robyn Nadolny, were the ones to first identify the rarity.

This European / Asian species has never been seen in Virginia before. It is making national headlines among the birding community.

http://www.odu.edu/news/2012/11/northern_lapwing_sig

http://blog.aba.org/2012/11/abarare-northern-lapwing-virginia.html

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/11/eurasian-traveler-sighted-back-bay-refuge

Biology faculty in the news......

With the summer heat approaching, Biology faculty make the news with their various projects in teaching or research:

Eric Walters, our community ecologist, is working with NASA to study bird migration:  

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/news/12-18.html

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/birds-precip.html

Dan Sonenshine, emertius professor, was involved in the development of an app for tick identification as well as working on a new edition of his book on the biology of ticks:
http://ww2.odu.edu/ao/ia/insideodu/20120628/topstory2.php

Lytton Musselman,  Mary Payne Hogan Professor of Botany, spent time this summer teaching in Iraq:
http://ww2.odu.edu/ao/ia/insideodu/20120628/morenews3.php

TICK Time in Hampton Roads

Recent increases in the number of cases of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis in Virginia demonstrate the need for public awareness of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Educational campaigns can provide the public with scientifically valid information to help prevent tick bites or prevent delays in diagnosis of tick-borne diseases. The key to awareness is to target the information during the times when that information is most crucial rather than during seasons of low tick encounter risk. This timing will help prevent complacency because ticks are not seen during various seasons of the year.

In the Hampton Roads area, the month of June is when anyone outdoors is most likely to encounter a tick based on a weekly survey of the area from 2009 to the present. Ticks are consistently collected at a number of surprising locations including sand dunes along the beach, on vegetation in a flooded marsh, along the edges of golf courses and even in the industrial areas near urban downtown areas. The most likely species to encounter is the Lone Star tick, which is does NOT spread Lyme disease but does spread ehrlichiosis. 95% of ticks collected were Lone Stars, and the “tick bombs” that people may encounter in late summer are larvae of this species. While it is certainly disconcerting to have 300-500 black specks suddenly crawling up one’s leg, this life stage is extremely unlikely to harbor any pathogens. The black-legged tick, also known as deer tick, is the vector of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The tiny nymphs of this species are usually to blame for biting humans and are active late May into June. The Gulf Coast tick is a recent invader from the south and has brought a new disease currently called Tidewater spotted fever. The adults of this species also peak in late May to early June.

Anyone outdoors can encounter a tick in nearly any season of the year, but the month of June is a crucial time to be completely aware. Regular tick checks including checking children can help reduce risk as can tucking pants into socks. Additionally, it is important to dispel the myths that exist regarding ticks. For example, ticks do NOT fall from trees. Ticks will not “back out” if you burn them, cover them in petroleum jelly, etc. The best removal is to use a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull directly up. Keep the tick in a plastic bag in your freezer for at least two weeks, and take the tick along to the doctor if any symptoms appear including fever, rash or fatigue.

Tick risk in Hampton Roads

Species

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Diseases

Lone Star

*

*

M

H

H

H

H

H

M

L

*

*

Ehrlichiosis

Dog ticks

*

*

L

M

H

H

L

*

*

*

*

*

#

Black-legged

*

*

L

L

M

H

M

L

L

L

L

*

Lyme disease

Gulf Coast

*

*

L

M

H

H

L

*

*

*

*

*

Tidewater spotted fever

Overall

*

*

L

M

H

H

H

M

M

L

*

*

* Ticks could be found but unlikely 

# Dog ticks can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but that has not be found in any samples to date.

 

Pollination through the Eyes of Bees

Check out one of the research projects being carried out by Associate Professor Lisa Horth.

What is it that bees see? By undertaking a research project involving graduates and undergraduates and  her Conservation Biology class this semster Dr Horth hopes to gain insight in to some of the preferences of bees with regards their use of UV cues.

Want to read more (see the links below) or want to hear more check out the Saturday Morning Science series this week

Check out the stories about her bee work:
http://www.odu.edu/ao/ia/insideodu/20111017/topstory1.html

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/10/researchers-have-sights-set-bees-feeding-habits

HIVES’ DECIMATION SPURS RESEARCH on Page E3 of Saturday, October 15, 2011

Congratulations Dr Frank Day - Fellow of the Society of Wetland Scientists

Dr. Frank Day, professor and eminent scholar in the Department of Biological Sciences at ODU, was honored as a Fellow of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) in an awards ceremony on July 5^th at the SWS annual meeting in Prague, Czech Republic. His nominators indicated his most significant scientific contributions were in the area of forested wetland ecology, specifically ecosystem productivity with a focus on belowground processes and litter dynamics. His research helped identify forested wetlands as important ecosystems for processing nutrients and sequestering carbon. Through Dr. Day's research efforts, and those of his students and collaborators, the field of wetland science has been enriched greatly. Rarely does a forested wetland paper pass the desk of an editor without a citation of Dr. Day's research.

Dr. Day served as President of SWS from 2002 to 2003. As President, Dr. Day formally acknowledged the paucity of diversity among wetland scientists and the fact that many of the ethnic groups that are most dependent on wetland ecosystem services do not have a voice in the wetland science enterprise. In typical fashion, Dr. Day acted decisively by establishing the Human Diversity Committee of SWS and facilitating three successful proposals for grants from the National Science Foundation to support an undergraduate mentoring program for students from underrepresented groups. The program has been very successful under Dr. Day's leadership; awards have been presented to 57 students from 38 different colleges or universities.

Dr. Day was elected as a Fellow of SWS because of his significant contributions to science, leadership in teaching, and service to the Society of Wetland Scientists. Dr. Day has established a strong, internationally recognized wetland research program and has influenced over three and a half decades of students; many of whom are now professional scientists, resource managers, and teachers. Dr. Day's vision while President of SWS established a society focus on diversity.

Letters in support of Dr. Day’s nomination attest to his contributions to the field and more generally to science and society. One nominator wrote “I have known Frank for many years, first as a scientist, then as president of the society, and finally as a significant promoter of diversity in our profession. He embodies all the qualities expected of a Fellow. As a scientist, Frank Day recognized early the need to understand the structure and function of forested wetlands. In particular, he was one of the first wetland ecologists to explore root dynamics in a forested wetland. He has a distinguished research and publication record that by itself would merit his being designated as Fellow. Frank Day is just as deserving of recognition for the service he has provided to the Society of Wetland Scientists. The President’s Service Award in 2006 reflected his substantial efforts to standardize the way in which the society operates. Frank assumed a responsibility at which he has excelled and should lead to a profound change in the membership in SWS. An NSF award was granted to SWS to increase diversity in the society's membership. In spite of the significant time Frank Day had already spent on SWS business, he agreed to take on this additional responsibility. His kind and gentle manner with students, combined with his trademark thoroughness and patience, has built a structured program that helps these students learn about wetlands ecology and management. Frank Day is an excellent scientist, he has gone well above and beyond the call of duty in serving SWS, and he is a promoter of general good will.”

Another nominator stated that “Dr. Frank Day has an exemplary record of service to SWS. I think Frank's greatest contribution to SWS is his work to establish human diversity initiatives within the Society. The SWS Undergraduate Mentoring Program has excelled for the past 8 years under Dr. Day's leadership. Dr. Frank Day exemplifies the very best of our profession. His personal and scientific achievements alone would qualify him to be an SWS Fellow. Few have Dr. Day's record of service to SWS and its members.” A third nominator felt that “his leadership in spreading knowledge and opportunity to young students and in promoting multicultural diversity among wetland scientists makes him a perfect candidate for this recognition. His enthusiasm and communication skills allow him to connect with a younger generation, providing confidence and inspiration. His persistence and passion for increasing diversity in the wetland sciences transcends all of ecology, and his interactions with me and others have not onIy exposed us to a range of opportunities, but have created a model for us to emulate.”

BGSO Receives Environmental Stewardship Award



Ecology graduate students Matt Semcheski (right), Todd Egerton (middle)
along with Highland Park Civic League leader Jim Hazel (left) with Rivers
& Watershed Protection Awards



The Old Dominion University Biology Graduate Student Organization has been recognized for its ongoing volunteer efforts and environmental stewardship.  Last Friday afternoon, the Norfolk Environmental Commission hosted its annual Clean City Cookout at the Virginia Zoo.  The event was hosted by WHRO personality Cathy Lewis with 200 people in attendance, representing Norfolk civic leagues, schools, churches local government and environmental groups.  John Deuel, the director of Keep Norfolk Beautiful thanked the invited guests for their help in spreading environmental awareness and education over the past year.  Ecology graduate students Matt Semcheski and Todd Egerton accepted a ‘Rivers and Watershed Protection Award of Merit’ from Norfolk mayor Paul Fraim on behalf of the ODU BGSO.  Over the last year and a half, Semcheski, Egerton and fellow BGSO members have worked with the Norfolk Wetlands Board and others to plan, permit and carry out wetland restoration projects along the Lafayette River.  In June, 2010 the group restored approximately 1000 square feet of marsh behind Larchmont Elementary, including the removal of concrete debris, installation of coir logs and sand backfill, and planting of native wetland grasses and shrubs.  The group has also volunteered on three other restoration projects in Norfolk, most recently at a large wetland restoration at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens.  If anyone is interested in learning more about becoming involved with local wetland restoration projects please contact Todd at tegerton@odu.edu.



BGSO volunteers at a Lafayette River wetland restoration project behind
Larchmont Elementary School, June 2010.