Events & News

October 2008

Professor’s research finds environmental abundance generates biodiversity
Associate Professor of Biology Sophia I. Passy authored an article in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS) titled that showed algal coexistence in the stream benthos (the bottom-dwelling community) disobeyed the predictions of one of the most influential theories in ecology: the competition theory. For more than 80 years, this theory has asserted that in competition for one limiting resource, only one species can survive; hence the number of coexisting species equals the number of limiting resources. Numerous investigations in spatially simple communities, such as grasslands and phytoplankton, have supported the competition theory and demonstrated that the number of coexisting species is proportional to the number of resources at low supply, i.e. environmental scarcity generates biodiversity. However, Passy’s research revealed that the continental algal biodiversity in the spatially complex stream benthos was the greatest where all resources were at high supply, but steadily declined as more of them became limiting. The finding has fundamental implications for the understanding of species coexistence, which Passy showed to be dependent on community spatial organization. The patterns of coexistence and the mechanisms that govern them, as described in the paper, are pivotal for biodiversity preservation in freshwaters, such as small to mid-size streams and shallow lakes, where the algal benthos supports the entire ecosystem, including invertebrates and fish. Read more on the PNAS Web site.

September 2008

Departments of Mathematics, Biology granted $780,946 from NSF
Forty University of Texas at Arlington undergraduate math and biology students will receive financial assistance, mentoring, seminars, research experience and specially designed course work thanks to a $780,946, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant is part of the Interdisciplinary Training Program for Undergraduates in Biology and Mathematics at the National Science Foundation, and it will support a program at UT Arlington called Undergraduate Training in Theoretical Ecology Research (UTTER).

The main objectives of the UTTER program are to enhance undergraduate education and training at the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences, and to better prepare program scholars to pursue graduate study and careers in fields that integrate the mathematical and biological sciences. The core of the UTTER activity is jointly conducted, long-term research experiences for five interdisciplinary balanced teams of eight undergraduates from the mathematics and biology departments under extensive faculty and peer mentoring from both fields.

World renowned scholars will visit UT Arlington to interact with UTTER participants and share their expertise in research and education at the interface between biology and mathematics with the university community. The program will also enhance university student recruitment and alignment with area community colleges.

Hristo Kojouharov, associate professor of mathematics, is principal investigator for the grant and Associate Professors Doyle Hawkins and Christopher Kribs-Zaleta from the Department of Mathematics are co-principal investigators. Professor James Grover and Assistant Professor Laura Mydlarz are co-principal investigators from the Department of Biology. Associate Professor Laura Gough, from the biology department, will be a faculty associate.

July 2008

Climate research professor slates live Web presentation tomorrow

April 2008

Biologists receive grant to help save millions of fish.

James P. Grover, UT Arlington biology professor, and colleagues from Baylor and Texas A&M universities have received a $498,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for a comparative study of algae on Lake Waco and Lake Granbury. More than 6 million fish have been killed since 1988 along the Brazos River due to high golden algae levels, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. In 2007, thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of Lake Whitney. But this was a small incident when compared to a similar event in 2005, when more than a million fish died in the lake during a three-month period. Officials believe large golden algae blooms contributed to the deaths, attacking the fishes' gills causing them to suffocate. The researchers will try to locate certain coves or "hotspots" in the lakes where conditions are optimal for golden algae growth. They will conduct laboratory experiments on the growth of golden algae and other algae occurring in these lakes. The researchers aim to evaluate manipulation of nutrients in those hotspots as a measure to reduce golden algae growth. They expect to have results in about two years. Contact Grover at (817) 272-2405 or grover@uta.edu for more information.

February 2008

Congratulations to Paul Chippindale for his recent promotion to the rank of Professor.

June 2007

POST-DOCTORAL POSITION
Campbell Lab

An NSF-supported, three-year, post-doctoral fellowship is available to study herpetological diversity of Mexico at The University of Texas at Arlington. Applicants should be highly motivated, independent scientists with a sound knowledge of Neotropical herpetology. Desired qualifications include fluency in Spanish, experience conducting fieldwork under difficult conditions, photographic expertise, and leadership abilities in heading up field parties of 6 to 12 persons. Responsibilities will include organization of field trips into remote regions of Mexico for 2-4 weeks at a time, the collection and documentation of scientific materials, and identification and incorporating these materials into permanent collections. Salary is between $28,000 and $32,000. Review of applications is ongoing and will continue until a candidate is selected. The starting date is September 2007.
Applicants must have a PhD in Biology or related field. Applicants should send electronic copy of CV and names (and e-mail addresses) for two referees to:

Jon Campbell
Department of Biology
UT-Arlington
Arlington, TX 76019
E-mail: Campbell@uta.edu

May 2007

Noted Herpetologist wins “Eminent Naturalist” Award

The Southwestern Association of Naturalists has announced that the 2007 W. Frank Blair Eminent Naturalist Award has been presented to Dr. Jonathan Campbell, professor and chair of the biology department at The University of Texas at Arlington. The award recognizes excellence in a lifetime of commitment to outstanding study or conservation of the flora or fauna of the southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America. | Read More |

February 2007

EPA Grants:
Assistant Professor Sophia Passy awarded an EPA grant:
Determining the potential for algal bloom in Lake Maurepas: effects of changing nutrient load from freshwater diversion and changes in human population, Southeastern Louisiana University Western Lake Pontchartrain Basin Research Program (funded by the EPA), $87,512 (Co-PI with Philip Voegel, PI)
January 2007

Assistant Professor Sophia Passy promoted to Associate Professor.

December 2006

Dr. James Grover, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental and Earth Sciences invited speaker at Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University.
Talk title:“ The role of nutrient storage in microbial interactions.”

November 2006

Biology Professor Robert McMahon to Help Shape Federal Policy on Invasive Species

University of Texas at Arlington Honors College Dean and Professor of Biology Dr. Robert McMahon has been named by the U.S. Department of Interior as a member of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC), which advises the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) on matters pertaining to the biology and control of invasive species in the United States.
Dr. McMahon received his doctorate in zoology at Syracuse University and his Bachelor of Arts in Zoology at Cornell University. He has been with UT Arlington since 1972 and has authored more than 125 research and scholarly publications. His areas of research expertise include comparative physiology/physiological ecology of aquatic invertebrates; population bioenergetics/life history strategies; biology and control of macrofouling animals; freshwater and marine invertebrate zoology; molluscan biology (malacology) and biology and control of non-indigenous invasive aquatic and marine invertebrates.
ISAC is made up of 30 individuals representing a broad range of stakeholders including those in the scientific, conservation, agriculture communities, state and tribal governments and industry organizations that are impacted by invasive species.
NISC was established in February 1999 and is co-chaired by the secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture and Commerce. Its members include the secretaries of State, Defense, Transportation, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security and the administrators of the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration, the National Air and Space Administration, U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Trade Representative.
For more information on the NISC, visit the Department of Interior’s Web site at http:/www.doi.gov.

September 2006

Open Positions

EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY

The University of Texas at Arlington The Department of Biology invites applications for two tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor to complement existing research strengths in ecology, evolution, and genomics. Participation in the Quantitative Biology doctoral program is expected.

• An evolutionary biologist/ecologist: Research interests may include but are not limited to population/community ecology, ecological genomics or population/quantitative genetics. Dr. Laura Gough, Chair of Evolutionary Biology/Ecology Search.

• A microbiologist: Research interests may include but are not limited to microbial ecology, virology, genomics, or systematics and evolution. Participation in the undergraduate Microbiology Degree program is expected. Dr. Thomas Chrzanowski, Chair of Microbiology Search

Applicants must have a Ph.D. and a demonstrated record of research productivity. Successful candidates will be expected to establish vigorous, extramurally funded research labs and participate in both graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area, UT Arlington is a fast-growing, comprehensive university in The University of Texas System. Additional information is available at http://www.uta.edu/biology/. Applicants should submit curriculum vitae; copies of up to five publications; statements of research and teaching interests; and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of four persons who can provide letters of reference. Send applications to the appropriate Search Chair at Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19498, Arlington, TX 76019-0498. Review of completed applications will begin 9 October 2006, and will continue until the positions are filled. Hiring will be contingent on the completion of a satisfactory criminal background investigation for security sensitive positions.
UT Arlington is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

August 2006

Laura Gough, Associate Professor in Biology, recently gave an invited talk in an oral symposium at the Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting in Memhis. The symposium focused on clonal plant research, and her talk was titled “Therole of clonal plant growth form in community response to environmental change.̵ It included data from her ongoing federally funded research on climate change effects on plant communities in arctic Alaska.

Assistant Professor of Biology Lorraine$van Waasbergen received two new NSF grant supplement monies one for $46,827 and another for $5,000.

July 2006

Associate Professor Paul Chippindale and Assistant Professor Jeremy Marshall awarded $112,680 from USFWS/TPWD.

Dr. Jonathan Campbell, Chair of the Biology Department, was a coautxor of an article on the global losses in amphibian populations in the journal Science.

June 2006

Grant Awards
Professor James Grover awarded $40,000 from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the0study of Isolation of Prymnesin parvum analytical standards for research on golden algae toxicity (with PI K. Schug)
Professor Thomas Chrzanowski awarded $40,000 from Alcon Laboratories.

May 2006

Dr. James Grover, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental and Earth Sciences invited speaker at Workshop on Microbial Ecology, Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University.
Talk title: “Stoichiometry in microbial food webs.”

NSF Grant Awards
Professor Jonathan Campbell awarded $600,000.
Assistant Professor Lorraine van Waasbergen awarded $155,427.

March 2006

Professor James Grover awarded $14,989 from The Trinity River Authority for the Consultation on orthophosphate filtration, analysis of municipal water quality data, and other matters.

February 2006

Dr. James Grover, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental and Earth Sciences, is the lead investigator on a large research grant recently awarded to UT Arlington from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This grant is for $529,023 for the period from February 2006 to August 2007. This project will investigate the ecology of bloom formation in the toxic algal species Prymnesium parvum, popularly known as "golden algae". This species has recently been responsible for large fish kills in several Texas rivers and reservoirs, causing millions of dollars of economic losses. UT Arlington will be the lead institution in a collaborative project involving integrated laboratory experiments, field studies, toxicology and mathematical modeling. Toxic blooms of golden algae tend to begin in autumn or early winter in Texas waters, and usually end in spring. The goal of the research is to determine the ecological mechanisms producing this pattern, so that blooms can be forecasted, and to suggest measures that could mitigate blooms once they form. The collaborating institutions in this project are Texas A&M University, Baylor University, UT Austin, and the US Geological Survey. Laboratory work will be conducted at UT Arlington to examine the growth potential of golden algae under various conditions of temperature, salinity and nutrient supply, and in the presence of various other aquatic organisms. Field experiments examining the same factors will be conducted by personnel from Texas A&M, UT Austin and the US Geological Survey in Lake Whitney, where blooms of golden algae have recently occurred. Studies of algal toxicity to fish will be conducted at Baylor University. The collaborating investigators are Dr. Daniel Roelke (Texas A&M University), Dr. Bryan Brooks (Baylor University), and Dr. Richard Kiesling (UT Austin and the US Geological Survey). They will be assisted by several graduate and undergraduate students.

In late February, Associate Professor of Biology Laura Gough served on a grant proposal review panel at the National Science Foundation. Gough reviewed Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant proposals to the Ecology and Ecosystems programs within the Division of Environmental Biology.

Associate Professor James Grover promoted to Full Professor.

Associate Professor of Biology Laura Gough was appointed to the editorial board of Ecology and Ecological Monographs. These are the leading journals in the general field of ecology, published by the Ecological Society of America. She will serve a three-year term.