Dr. Eric Gangloff
Principal Investigator
Eric Gangloff’s research addresses the big question of how organisms will respond to this rapidly changing world. With a special focus on reptiles and amphibians, his work utilizes an integrative approach that combines field observations, controlled lab experiments, and molecular techniques to identify the mechanisms that allow – or limit – the success of individuals and populations. For example, recent work examines how temperature and oxygen availability interact to affect the physiology, performance, and reproduction of the common wall lizard in Europe. He also continues work on a fascinating system of garter snake populations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, examining how physiology, behavior, and immune function covary with life-history traits. Here in Ohio, he is beginning work as part of a broad network of researchers to investigate how individual variation in behavior and physiology can scale up to affect population dynamics and species distributions in the widespread red-backed salamander. His work is highly collaborative, including partnerships with researchers from Germany, France, Australia, and across the U.S.
Dellen Roush ('23) double majored in Zoology and Geography at Ohio Wesleyan, and has returned to the lab as a Postbaccalaureate Salamander Biologist through SPARCnet's RaMP program. They are contributing to the lab's research on Eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) thermal biology and ecology, and they are interested in fleshing out our understanding of how populations of these lovable and far-reaching critters interact with their environment across their range. Dellen is passionate about conservation and paleobiology, and plans to eventually pursue further education in ecology or evolutionary biology, with a focus on herpetology. When they aren't busy with their research, you can find Dellen out hiking (and herping), making pottery, or buried in a fantasy or natural history book.
Dellen Roush
Constant Perry
Constant Perry is a PhD student, having started his thesis in fall 2021 at the University of Toulouse and SETE-CNRS in Moulis, France. He is studying the effects of global warming on vertebrate ectotherms, specifically nighttime temperatures on lizard physiology and activity, as well as the impact of sub-optimal conditions initiated by global warming on lizard phenotypes within the local context of the colonization of mountain environments by the wall lizard. He has always been passionate about reptiles and interested in the evolution of organisms and phenotypic plasticity, how organisms cope with new environments, and whether they are able to adapt to recent climate change.
Emily Bode
Emily Bode ('23) graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in Microbiology and minoring in chemistry. Emily is now a Master's Student in Gibbs Lab at The Ohio State University, where she is continuing her analysis of Podarcis muralis genomic data. She was an active member of OWU's Women In STEM organization and a frequent volunteer with the American Red Cross. She also works part-time as a bartender where she loves meeting new people. She started working on the Podarcis genomics project in early spring 2022 and has found a passion in genetic work.
Emma Foster
Emma Foster is a sophomore at Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in neuroscience with minors in cello performance and chemistry. She is interested in exploring adult neurogenesis capabilities and resilience to high blood lead levels in Podarcis muralis. She plans to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience with the goal of becoming a professor and researcher. In her free time, Emma likes to listen to music, hang out with friends and family, and solve logic puzzles.
Ariana Brown
Ariana Brown is currently a sophomore at Ohio Wesleyan University, with a major in Zoology major and a minor in Psychology. She has always had a passion for learning about wildlife and hopes to move on to Veterinary school after graduation. Herps have always been extremely fascinating to her and she wants to work with them more in the future. She has a crested gecko at home who has fueled her curiosity about reptiles and amphibians. She hopes working with SPARCnet will help her gain experience with wildlife research and grasp a better picture of what animals she will want to work with in the future.
Anya Shevchik
Anya Shevchik is a sophomore at Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in Genetics with a minor in Chemistry and East Asian Studies. She primarily works on the Scincus scincus project and hopes to find a way to sex the skinks before she graduates. She enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, learning Japanese, and being a tour guide at OWU.
Brittney Parks
Brittney Parks is a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University, majoring in pre-professional zoology and possibly environmental science or botany. She is currently studying digestion in Podarcis muralis. After graduating Brittney plans to go to graduate school and get her Ph.D. to pursue a future in research on animals, though she is currently unsure what specialization she would like to go into. In her free time she likes spending time with friends, baking, reading and being outside.
Tyler Williard
Tyler Williard is a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in Pre-Professional Zoology. He is interested in examining how Podarcis muralis thermoregulates and what environmental factors influence thermoregulatory behaviors. Outside of the lab, Tyler enjoys playing video games, learning various skills, and creating. After college, he plans to continue doing herpetology related research.
Jasmyn Zimmerman
​Jasmyn Zimmerman (‘25) is majoring in Pre-Professional Zoology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Ohio Wesleyan University. Her interest in reptiles began with watching The Crocodile Hunter and caring for her pet bearded dragon, Irwin. In the lab, she contributes to research focusing on the differences between urban and natural populations of Podarcis muralis. One of the main projects she is involved with compares the microbiomes of these populations. In addition to her research, she works as a lab assistant and museum curator in the Biology Department. In her free time, she enjoys working on art projects, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with friends. After graduation, Jasmyn plans to continue her education in a graduate program or pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
Ethan Livingston
Brooklyn Upp
Brooklyn Upp is a Freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in Zoology and Botany with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She is hoping that SPARCnet will help her gain more experience in the field especially with herps. After Graduation Brooklyn plans to get her Ph.D. and continue her research with animals. In her free time Brooklyn likes to play rugby, hangout with friends, and buy snacks.
Ashley Mollett
Ashley Mollett is a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in pre-professional zoology and minoring in environmental science. She is interested in studying the effect of feeding frequency and food quantity in the digestion of Podarcis muralis. After graduation, she hopesto continue her passions in animal behavioral research, zoo and wildlife conservation and traveling. In my free time she likes to listen to music, go shopping and hangout outdoors!
Gabby Plunkett
Devon Haley
Devon Haley is a junior majoring in zoology and possibly environmental science. He is a member of the Ohio Wesleyan football team. After graduating, Devon plans to pursue a career in marine biology and conservation. He enjoys sports, video games, and fishing with friends.
Hannah Marsh
Hannah Marsh is a senior at Olentangy Berlin High School. She is interested in getting a comprehensive scope of research concerning Podarcis muralis by assisting in the lab on several undergraduate research projects in physiology. Outside of the lab, she is a competitive dancer and loves listening to music.
Gabrielle Plunkett ('25) is a Senior at Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in Biology. She primarily works on how Common Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis) thermoregulate and the factors affecting their thermoregulatory behaviors. Gabrielle is planning on entering a master's program after graduation. Outside the lab, she likes to spend time with her cats, garden, and bake.
Josh Pletcher
Josh Pletcher ('21) double-majored in pre-professional zoology and professional geology and minoring in history. Josh spends most of his time working in OWU’s natural history museum, where he curates the mammal, fossil, and fish collections, develops exhibits, and is currently working on writing a history of the museum. His primary research interests include the parasites of Ice Age megafauna, artiodactyl evolution, and the history of colonial Africa. Josh is planning to continue his studies in graduate school and would eventually like to become a curator at a natural history museum.
Princeton Vaughn
Princeton Vaughn ('22) majored in zoology, environmental science, and minoring in music composition at Ohio Wesleyan University and is now a PhD student in the Campbell-Staton Lab at Princeton University (an amazing cosmic coincidence). He is interested in how morphology relates to locomotor performance on various substrates in urban populations of the invasive common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). Princeton plans to earn his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and become a research scientist. When not in the lab, Princeton enjoys playing video games, practicing guitar, and singing in his a cappella group.
Athena Vakaleris
Athena Vakaleris ('22) double majored in zoology and philosophy. Her research included investigating the red-backed salamander and its thermal environment. Athena has a passion for animal care and would like to pursue a career as a veterinarian. In her free time, you can find her cuddled up to her dogs and cats or out on a hike exploring new terrain.
Ciara Pettit
Ciara Pettit ('23) double majored in Zoology and Spanish at Ohio Wesleyan University. In the lab, Ciara has studied the thermoregulation of the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) under different environmental conditions. Ciara also worked for the OWU Zoology Department as a Lab Assistant during her time at OWU, and volunteered at a non-profit reptile rescue and education organization called Herps Alive before attending the university. She now works for Cleveland Clinic as a Research Animal Health and Shipping Coordinator, importing/exporting research animals all the while, monitoring their health. On the side, she has an e-commerce business dealing with animal supplies.
Dr Andrew Mason
Andrew Mason is an evolutionary biologist and postdoctoral fellow in the Gibbs Lab at The Ohio State University. Andrew uses a variety of genomic, comparative phylogenetic, and population genetic approaches to understand the evolutionary processes that generate biodiversity, particularly in reptiles. His current research projects include phylogenetic analyses of venom diversity in snakes, comparative genomics of the pitviper venom system, and understanding the genomic consequences of biological invasion in Podarcis lizards. When not sitting at his computer, Andrew enjoys leisure herping (often with limited success) and devising new ways to challenge the adventuring party in his current Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Dr Allison Litmer
Allison Litmer worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Gangloff lab at Ohio Wesleyan University from 2023-24. Allison uses bioenergetics to understand how organismal persistence and life history are regulated by temperature, food resources, and physiological traits. Her current research project focuses on abiotic factors and physiological phenotypes contributing to the successful invasion of European wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) into urban areas. Allison also has a passion for working to promote women in STEM and inclusivity in science. When she’s not doing research, Allison enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time outdoors. She is now a post-doctoral research in the lab of Dr Casey Pennock at The Ohio State University.
Lab Alum
Alyssa Baxter
Alyssa Baxter ('21) majored in zoology and minored in psychology. After completing her degree, she earned her dream job as a Zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. During her time in GLARE, she investigated the thermal microhabitats of redback salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). Outside of the lab, Alyssa enjoys competing in equestrian events, listening to music, and playing board games with friends.
Sierra Spears
Sierra Spears ('22) majored in pre-professional zoology and botany, with a minor in chemistry. She's interested in thermal biology, and is currently investigating the thermoregulation and the underlying processes of the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) under different environmental conditions. Sierra is planning to pursue a master's degree in thermal biology, and go onto to become a wildlife ecologist. In her spare time, Sierra spends her time hiking, skateboarding, and baking.
Anna Schill
Anna Schill ('22) majored in Zoology and Environmental Science. She is interested broadly in the interactions between humans and other organisms. More specifically she is interested in studying the stress response of Podarcis in urbanized environments. She plans to enter a PhD program next fall to study ecology.
Genevieve Paulick
Genevieve Paulick ('23) double majored in Pre-professional Zoology and Environmental Science with a minor in Studio Art. She worked in the lab to investigate the red-backed salamander and its thermal environment. Genevieve is interested in conservation biology and is looking to do conservation research or animal rehabilitation after graduation. Outside of academics Genevieve is involved in both the field hockey and lacrosse team, and loves spending time with her pet snake and crocheting.
Ali Amer
Ali Amer ('23) majored in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology at Ohio Wesleyan University. He is interested in understanding the complex relationship between the endocrine system and animal behavior, particularly vocal behavior. His research here Currently investigated biomarkers of energy availability and allocation in blood plasma of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). After graduating, Ali is starting a PhD program at Auburn University in the Schwartz Lab. In his spare time, Ali enjoys going out on hikes, reading thriller novels and hanging out with friends.
Maya Moore
Maya Moore ('23) graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in General Zoology with a minor in Nutrition. She is interested in wildlife biology and will investigate the complex overlap of behavior and physiology in Podarcis muralis. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career focused on wildlife conservation. In her free time, she likes to read, exercise, and hang out with friends.
Alyssa Head
Alyssa Head ('23) graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in Pre-Professional Zoology and a minor in Religion. She is interested in whether the body morphology of Podarcis muralis differs between the sexes and among populations with varying establishment histories. She is planning on pursuing a career in field conservation and research. She loves listening to music, writing, and participating in various dance groups on campus in her spare time. Alyssa is now an M.S. student in the Brock Lab at San Diego State University where she continues to study wall lizards.
Ethan Livingston
Ethan Livingston ('23) graduated from Ohio Wesleyan majoring in Zoology and Environmental Science. He’s interested in the behavior and the evolution of unique traits in Sandfish skinks (Scincus scincus). Ethan is planning to peruse his Ph.D., with a heavy focus on research with a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and a few invertebrates. When not in the lab Ethan likes to hangout with friends, play video games, collect Pokémon cards, and participate in nature photography. Ethan is currently an M.S. student in the Bauer Lab at Villanova University.
Cece Colwell
Cece Colwell ('21) graduated from OWU with a double major in Genetics and Spanish. She studied scanning electron microscopy and pedagogical theory for language acquisition. Cece has experience working in zookeeping, Spanish teaching, emergency veterinary medicine, and clinical genomics research. She is now a Clinical Research Coordinator in The Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital. OWU and GLARE students, please feel free to reach out!
cece.colwell.2021@owu.edu
Wyatt McQueen
Wyatt McQueen ('22) majored in zoology and botany, minoring in environmental science and geography. McQueen is interested in the physiological response of the invasive Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) across the spectrum of sex, location, and predators. McQueen is looking to enter a career focused on the conservation of natural resources or animal welfare. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, video games, spending time with loved ones, and taking walks in nature parks.
Briley Park
Briley Park ('23 Emory University) began her undergraduate studies at Ohio Wesleyan University and is now at Emory University. She worked in the lab investigating the genetic bottleneck effect of the Common Wall Lizards in Ohio. Briley is planning to pursue her MD and Ph.D. pathway, specifically in the field of genetics. In her spare time, she likes to listen to music or stroll around nature.
Logan Fraire
Logan Fraire '23) graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University with a double major in Zoology and Environmental Science and a minor in Botany. She is interested in the thermoregulation capabilities of Podarcis muralis and is working to quantify lizards’ abilities to do so with thermal imagery in the field. After graduation, she hopes to continue imagery work by focusing on plant ecology using remote sensing in graduate school. When she isn’t doing work for her Environment and Sustainability Department, she enjoys plants, arts, and being outside.
Brandon Edwards
​Brandon Edwards ('23) graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University majoring in Pre-Professional Zoology and Environmental Science with a minor in chemistry. He is interested in wildlife biology and will investigate Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) populations through a capture mark-recapture study. Brandon is planning to pursue a career in research and conservation with a focus in herpetology. In his free time Brandon likes to play various board and card games and enjoys a hobby in technology and PC building.