Faculty Mentor: Dr. Scott Burt (advisor); Committee: Dr. Lisa Hooper, Dr. Lin Twining, and Yvette Amerman of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Research Thesis: Effects of forest management techniques on Hantavirus seroprevalence in Northeast Missouri small mammal communities.   

Research Description: Almost all of Missouri’s border states have reported human cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary syndrome, however, Missouri has not.  Last summer I set out to determine if the virus was present in our local rodent communities. Not only was the virus present, but it was particularly concentrated in oak-hickory forest.  My current interests center around whether typical forest management practices such as clearcutting, selective logging, and designating forest patches as “old growth” affect the small mammal community structure in such a way as to influence the spread of hantavirus among the rodents.  

Expected Date of Graduation: August 2005

Why did you choose Truman? I attended Truman for my undergraduate degree in Biology (B.S. May 2004) and was lucky enough to be accepted into the Accelerated Master of Science program.  I also have a great respect for and have enjoyed working with the Truman faculty.  The professors here take a very personal interest in the success of their students.  

Hometown: Salem, Missouri

Hobbies: entertaining my puppy and occasionally reading books with no questions at the ends of the chapters