Wesley Neely
(PhD Candidate)
Contact Information
Mary Harmon Bryant Hall
Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Education
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY (College Station, TX, U.S.A.)
M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, 2018
NORTH GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY (Tigerville, SC, U.S.A)
B.S., Biology, 2015
Research Interests
I am broadly interested in reptile and amphibian parasitology, ecology, and conservation and how anthropogenic activities impact individual and ecosystem health, particularly in and around aquatic ecosystems. For my Master's I studied the environmental factors influencing parasite community assemblages in freshwater turtle hosts. For my PhD, I will be studying the interactions between chytrid fungus and frog microbiomes in an effort to understand factors influencing the spread of this pathogen.
Publications
Neely, W. J., S. E. Greenspan, L. M. Stahl, S. D. Heraghty, V. M. Marshall, C. L. Atkinson, and C. G. Becker. (2021). Habitat disturbance linked with host microbiome dispersion and Bd dynamics in temperate amphibians. Microbial Ecology 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-021-01897-3
Neely, W. J., S. E. Greenspan, L. P. Ribeiro, T. Carvalho, R. A. Martins, D. Rodriguez, J. R. Rohr, C. F. B. Haddad, L. F. Toledo, and C. G. Becker. (2020). Synergistic effects of warming and disease linked to high mortality in cool-adapted terrestrial frogs. Biological Conservation 245: 108521. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108521
Neely, W. J., K. L. Garner, and N. O. Dronen. (2020). Distribution and diversity of leeches on three common species of freshwater turtles from across Texas, U.S.A. Comparative Parasitology 87(1): 49-55. https://doi.org/10.1654/1525-2647-87.1.49
Education
VIRGINIA TECH (Blasckburg, Virginia, USA)
Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2018
UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID (Madrid, Spain)
M.S., Evolutionary Biology, 2011
UNIVERSIDAD DE PANAMA (Panamá city, Panamá)
B.A., Biology with emphasis in Zoology, 2009
Research Interest
My research interest focuses on the study of community and disease ecology, with a strong emphasis on amphibian conservation. Throughout my academic formation, using a combination of field studies and field and laboratory experiments, my research have aimed to understand the mechanisms involved in the co-existence of amphibian populations with a pathogenic fungus (Batrachochyrtrium dendrobatidis). These studies have focused on aspects of both population-level processes and host-associated microbial communities. My current research aims to understand, from an ecological and evolutionary perspective, the impact of co-infections by different lineages of the amphibian pathogenic fungus on the bacterial communities associated with the amphibian skin, and the implications on the amphibian host.
Selected Pulbications
Medina, D., M.C. Hughey, J.B. Walke, M.H. Becker, K. Pontarelli, S. Sun, B. Badgley and L.K. Belden. (2019). Amphibian skin fungal communities vary across host species and do not correlate with infection by a pathogenic fungus. Environmental Microbiology. doi:10.1111/1462-2920.14682
Medina, D., J.B. Walke, Z. Gajewski, M.H. Becker, M. C. Swartwout and L.K. Belden. (2017). Culture Media and Individual-hosts Affect the Recovery of Culturable Bacterial Diversity from Amphibian Skin. Frontiers in Microbiology. 8:1574.
Medina, D., T.W.J. Garner, L.M. Carrascal and J. Bosch. (2015). Delayed metamorphosis of amphibian larvae facilitates Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis transmission and persistence. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 117:85-92.
Samantha Siomko
(Graduate Student / MSc)
Vanessa Marshall
(Graduate Student / PhD)
Contact Information
Science and Engineering Complex
Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.)
B.S., Microbiology, 2020
Research Interests
I'm interested in microbial and disease ecology, especially with regards to emerging infectious pathogens. My current project is focused on how host life history and abiotic factors jointly explain fungal infections in frogs from Equatorial Guinea.
Publications
Keller HW, Marshall VM (2019). A new iridescent corticolous myxomycete species (Licea: Liceaceae: Liceales) and crystals on American elm tree bark in Texas, U.S.A. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas.
Lozier JD, Ols CN, Pitsenberger CA, Marshall VM, Watkins MHM. Fine-scale partitioning of bee diversity across an urban arboretum. Southeastern Naturalist. In press.
Shannon Buttimer
(Graduate Student / PhD )
Contact Information
606 Mueller Lab
Department of Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
shannon.buttimer[at]gmail.com
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – BERKELEY (Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.)
B.S., Molecular Environmental Biology, 2019
Research Interests
My research interests are focused on what factors shape the skin microbiome of amphibians and how ecologists can harness the anti-fungal properties of these bacteria to protect imperiled taxa from diseases like Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). For my undergraduate honors thesis, I studied how biotic and abiotic factors structure the metacommunities of Bd-inhibiting bacteria that live on the skin of multiple species of salamanders. I also have experience with endangered and invasive species management through my work with Wyoming Toads and Burmese Pythons. For my PhD, I hope to develop and test cutaneous “probiotics” for use on frog species in Brazil.
Publications
Buttimer, S., Hernández-Gómez, O., Rosenblum, E.B. (2021). Every bacterium is everywhere, but the salamander selects: metacommunity structure of the cutaneous microbiomes of San Francisco Bay Area salamanders. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 97: fiab162.
Buttimer, S., Stepanova, N., Womack, M. (2020). Evolution of the unique anuran hindlimb skeleton in relation to microhabitat, locomotor mode, and jump performance. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 60: 1330-1345.
Jack Boyette
(Graduate Student / PhD )
Contact Information
606 Mueller Lab
Department of Biology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Boyette.jack[at]gmail.com
Education
Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil)
Ph.D., General Physiology, 2015
Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil)
M.S., General Physiology, 2011
Universidade Federal da Paraíba (João Pessoa, Brazil)
B.S., Biological Sciences, 2007
Research Interests
The effects of habitat change on vertebrates and their adaptations are the biological aspects of my major interests. The study of host-associated microbial communities has a high value because this system is an interface between the environment and the animal, which influences immunity. Therefore, my study is focused on the understanding of how environmental degradation affects host-microbial dynamics, and the consequences for host health. My research is focused on tropical forests with a history of anthropogenic disturbances, and their amphibian communities. My ongoing researchinvestigates the relationship between the environmental source of microorganisms (eDNA) and the amphibian response to the pathogenic fungus Batrachochyrtrium dendrobatidis.
Selected Publications
Assis, A.B., Bevier, C.R., Barreto, C.C., Navas, C.N. Environmental effect on the skin microbiota of Proceratophrys boiei(Amphibia, Anura) across forest fragments and its antimicrobial activity. Ecology and Evolution. v.10, p.901 - 913, 2020.
Assis, A.B., Barreto, C.C., Navas, C.A. Skin microbiota in frogs from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Species, forest type, and potential against pathogens. PLoS One 12(7): e0179628, 2017.
Assis, A.B., Santos, C., Dutra, F.P., Oliveira, M.A., Costa, F.S., Navas, C.A., Magalhães, B.S., Barreto, C.C. Assessing antibacterial potential of components of Phyllomedusa distincta skin and its associated dermal microbiota. Journal of Chemical Ecology 42: 139-148, 2016.
Nereyda Falconi Lopez
(Postdoctoral Researcher)
Contact Information
Department of Biology
518 Mueller Laboratory
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Education
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSSETS (Amherst, MA, USA)
Ph.D., Environmental Conservation, 2021
UNIVERSIDADE ESTADUAL DE SANTA CRUZ (Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil)
M.S., Ecology and Conservation, 2013
UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AGRARIA LA MOLINA (Lima, Perú)
B.A., Biology, 2008
Research Interest
I am interested in quantitative and spatial ecology, especially how organisms use their environments and interact with other organisms in communities. I have studied habitat selection of maned sloths in Atlantic Forest fragments in the state of Bahia, Brazil. I have also created an open-access data based for Andean Bears and modeled their distribution in Perú. I used stable isotopes to evaluate bear diets worldwide. I have worked for conservation NGOs and collaborated with government agencies and rural communities. I believe in the inclusion of local communities in conservation initiatives.
Selected Pulbications
Falconi N, Carlo TA, Fuller TK, DeStefano S, Organ JF. (2022). Bear diets and human-bear conflicts: insights from isotopic ecology. Mammal Review
Falconi N, Fuller TK, DeStefano S, Organ JF. (2020). An open access, occurrence database for Andean bears in Peru. Ursus, 2020(31e11), pp.1-6.
Falconi N., Vieira E., Baumgarten J., Faria D., Giné G.A.F. (2015). The home range and multi- scale habitat selection of the threatened maned three-toed sloth (Bradypus torquatus). Mammalian Biology 80(5):431-439.
Renato Martins
(Fieldwork Support)
Contact Information
Departamento de Biodiversidade
Universidade Estadual Paulista
13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
Education
SANTO AMARO UNIVERSITY (São Paulo, SP, Brazil)
B.S., Biology, 2009
Research Interests
I am broadly interested in ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. My ongoing research focuses on how discontinuity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats at the landscape scale shapes the interaction between the amphibian skin microbiome and the chytrid fungus in Brazil.
Outreach: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjpF1hFOIpJgjWZeHBpo9qA/videos
Our lab has also been conducting research in subtropical and temperate rainforests.
Aparados da Serra National Park,
Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil
Photo © Gui Becker
Contact Information
2401 Science & Engineering Complex
Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Education
GETTYSBURG COLLEGE (Gettysburg, PA, U.S.A)
B.S., Biology, 2017
Research Interests
I am interested in wildlife health and conservation, and I have previously studied the population dynamics of vertebrates affected by diseases or human conflict such as white nose in bats or human/predator conflict in wolves. My undergraduate research focused on the foraging techniques of predatory bats and insects on tropical frogs impacted by chytrid fungus. For my Master's, I will be studying the impact of fungal infections on frog microbiome communities. I also spend my time volunteering with wildlife rescue centers and participating in community conservation education.
Contact Information
Departamento de Biodiversidade
Universidade Estadual Paulista
13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
Ananda B. Assis
(Postdoctoral Researcher )
Education
BERRY COLLEGE (Rome, GA, USA)
B.S., Biology & Pre-Veterinary Animal Science, 2020
Research Interests
I am an early career biologist and lifelong adventurer fascinated by the ecology and evolution of amphibians. As a PhD student in the Becker Lab, I aim to investigate mechanisms which equip amphibian populations to adapt to ecological changes such as disease emergence and habitat alteration. My past research interests include the evolution of frog vision and the impact of artificial selection on ruminant immune gene diversity.
Publications
Peters, S., J. Wilson, J.L. Boyette. Differential expression of IGF1, IGFBP5, MSTN and MYH1 across different age classes in American Quarter Horses. 2020. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 94: 103226.
Gui Becker
(Principal Investigator)
Contact Information
Department of Biology
606 Mueller Laboratory
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
email: guibecker(at)psu.edu
Education
CORNELL UNIVERSITY (Ithaca, New York, U.S.A.)
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2014
STATE UNIVERSITY OF CAMPINAS (Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil)
M.S., Ecology, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF VALE DO RIO DOS SINOS (São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)
B.S., Biological Sciences, 2005 (Double Major: Biology and Education)
Professional Appointments
2022-present: Associate Professor,
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
2017-2021: Assistant Professor,
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
2014-2017: Postdoctoral Researcher in Tropical Disease Ecology,
State University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Selected Publications
Becker CG, et al. (2017). Land cover and forest connectivity alter the interactions among host, pathogen, and skin microbiome. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London – B, 284: 20171861.
Becker CG & Zamudio KR (2011). Tropical Amphibiam Populations Experience Higher Disease Risk in Natural Habitats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118: 9893-9898.
Becker CG, et al. (2008). Habitat-split and the Global Decline of Amphibians. Science, 318: 1775-1777.
ScienceStrings: https://guibeckerweb.wixsite.com/sciencestrings
Photography: https://www.flickr.com/photos/becker_gui/
Daniel Medina
(Postdoctoral Researcher)
Contact Information
Department of Biology
518 Mueller Laboratory
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
