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CURRICULUM VITAE |
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John E. Quinn IV
Department of Biology Home: (318) 680-2730 Garret Hall, University of Louisiana Office: (318) 342-1793 Monroe, Louisiana 71209 E-mail: johnquinniv@gmail.com
EDUCATION
2004 M.S. Candidate, Biology, University of Louisiana at Monroe. Monroe, Louisiana, 71209. Proposed Master’s Thesis: Mechanisms of Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) parasite egg rejection
I will be researching the response of the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) to parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) eggs. Original theory stated that an avian host species could be clearly categorized as either an acceptor or a rejector of parasitic eggs. Recent work has forced reconsideration of this statement. Percent rejection by the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) has been documented at both 58%and 96%. The objectives of this study are to determine if this variation can be correlated to 1) habitat suitability of nest location, 2) size of host clutch, and 3) variation in the coloration of the parasitic egg. This study will take place in the diverse landscape of Boeuf Wildlife Management Area in northeast Louisiana. Mimetic cowbird eggs will be placed in the nests of brooding Brown Thrashers. Nests will be regularly checked to determine the fate of the mimetic egg. The data that is collected will improve our understanding of proximate response mechanisms to avian brood parasitism.
In addition, I am conducting an Avian Biodiversity Study of Boeuf Wildlife Management Area. Boeuf Wildlife Management Area is a 50,000-acre tract of bottomland hardwood in Northeast Louisiana. I will be assessing the avian species composition on Boeuf WMA to provide baseline data of species richness and abundance. I will analyze the data to measure the effects of management techniques on the avian population.
Expected Completion Date: December 2006. Major Advisor: Dr. Kim Marie Tolson.
2003 B.S., Environmental Science, B.A. Environmental Policy, Biology minor. Drake University. Des Moines, Iowa 50311.
2003 Avian Research Assistant. Goosenest Adaptive Management Area. Macdoel, California Wildlife Conservation Society Forest Fire Surrogacy Research Project. A five-year national research project investigating the effects of fire and “fire surrogates” on forest ecosystem functioning in ponderosa pine forests. § Nest searching § Point counts § Foraging behavior monitoring § Data collection and analysis
2003 Project Coordinator. Polk County Conservation Board and Drake University. Des Moines, Iowa Merging science, policy, and education; development of an interpretive canoe trail at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Nature Preserve. Collaboration of PCCB and students of Environmental Science and Policy Senior Seminar. § Integration of ArcView GIS and GPS mapping data § Identification of local floral and fauna § Environmental and cultural history § Development of land ethic and application of land stewardship
2002 - 2003 Herbarium Collection Assistant. Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Worked to identify and curate flora of Iowa and the Midwest for the herbarium of Drake University’s Biodiversity Center.
2002 Avian Behavior Research Assistant. University of Missouri, Eldorado Springs, Missouri Habitat Use, Movement, and Survival of Fledging Dickcissel and Eastern Meadowlark Grassland bird research in Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie and Taberville Prairie in southwestern Missouri. Development of land ethic and application of land stewardship § Radio telemetry § Post disturbance behavior monitoring § GPS § Nest searching for Dickcissel and Eastern Meadowlarks § Data collection and analysis § Bird banding of fledging Dickcissel and Eastern Meadowlarks
2002-2003 Committee Member. Drake University Environmental Task Force. Assisted in the establishment of recycling program on campus. Co-wrote proposal to
implement natural gardening on campus and introduce energy efficient appliances to school buildings.
2001-2002 Service Learning Facilitator. Drake University, Des Moines, IA ‘Digital Citizenship and Environmental Justice’ National Science Foundation Research Project. Directed underclassmen in weekly sessions to educate low-income and minority community members in acquiring and using digital information.
Exploring environmental concerns within biodiversity and sustainability, avian conservation, habitat restoration, the role of birding as a medium for environmental awareness and education.
2005 Black Bayou NWR International Migratory Bird Day. 2004-2005 Northeast Louisiana Bird Club. Built and maintained website for local bird club. 2004 Christmas Bird Count. Northeast Louisiana. 2003- 2004 The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. Education volunteer. 2001-2003 Iowa Chapter Nature Conservancy. Assisted with preserve management and land stewardship projects.
AWARDS
2005 American Ornithologists' Union Student Membership Award; providing full membership in the AOU for three consecutive years 2003 Metro Waste Authority Business Recycling Award 2000 Drake University Track and Field Most Improved 1999-2003 Drake University Presidential Scholarship PUBLICATIONS
Quinn, J.E. 2003 “Healthy Forest Initiative”: Environmental Policy at the Start of the 21st Century. Drake University Social Science Journal PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Society for Conservation Biology American Ornithological Union Minnesota Ornithological Union Louisiana Ornithological Society
ULM Dept of Biology Class; Management of Game Birds, March, 2005. Topic: The Waterfowl of Louisiana
Northeast Louisiana Bird Club, May 31 2005 Topic: Consequences of Parasitism: The Future of the Brown-headed Cowbird.
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