Curriculum
Vitae
of
Sean Brendan Menke
Address:
School
Division of Biological Science, MC-0116
University of California-San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, M2B-4266
Phone: (858) 822-6590
Fax: (858) 534-7108
E-Mail: smenke@biomail.ucsd.edu
Education:
University of Oklahoma, Norman
Masters of Science (Zoology), May 2002
Thesis
- Lizard community structure across an expanding grassland/creosote shrubland
ecotone in the Chihuahuan Desert
L.J. Vitt advisor
University of Minnesota, Morris campus
Bachelors of Arts with High Distinction, June 1999
Major: Biology
Minor: Geology
GPA: 3.97/4.00
Research Interests:
Community
ecology; invasion ecology; the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors in
determining community structure; the roles of spatial and temporal variability
in population and community dynamics; responses to habitat fragmentation.
Publication:
Menke, S.B. and D.A. Holway. 2006 . Abiotic factors control invasion by Argentine ants at the community scale. Journal of Animal Ecology, 75:368-376.
Munroe,
T.A. and S.B. Menke.
2004. Two new soleid
flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae: Soleichthys) from Australian waters, with a re-description of Soleichthys
microcephalus (Günther). Records of the Australian Museum, 56:247-258.
Menke, S.B. 2003. Lizard community structure across a grassland/creosote shrubland ecotone in the Chihuahuan Desert. Canadian Journal of Zoology 81:1829-1838.
Anderson, D. R., A. E. Carlson, H.G. Friedrich, M.C. Funk, F. Hammergren, P.A. Joyce III, J.A. Klicka, D.T. Marsden, S.B. Menke, D.W. Preuss, T. Raphael, R.A. Schmidt, and R.M. Zink. 1998. Predation on artificial ground nests at Itasca State Park. The Loon, 69:176-183.
Scientific Presentations:
Menke, S.B. and D.A. Holway. 2005. Abiotic factors control invasion by ants at the community scale. Joint Meeting of the Ecological Society of America and the International Congress of Ecology. Montréal, Canada.
Menke, S.B. 2002. Lizard community structure in an expanding grassland/creosote shrubland ecotone in the Chihuahuan Desert. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. University of Kansas, Kansas City, MI.
Menke, S.B. 2001. Effects of an Ecotone on the Lizard Community Structure in the Chihuahuan Desert. Joint Meetings of the Herpetologists' League and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
Menke, S.B. 2001. Lizard Community Assemblages Across a Grassland/Creosote Scrubland Ecotone. 11th Annual Jornada Symposium. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
Menke, S.B. 1999. Developmental abnormalities of the Mink Frog (Rana septentrionalis) observed by clearing and staining. Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science 63:3.
Honors and Awards:
Murray F.Buell award for the best student oral presentation: Ecological Society of America (2005)
NOAA Graduate Research Fellowship: $60,000 (2004-2006)
Jeanne Marie Messier Memorial Fund: $765 (2003)
Graduate Student Senate Research Grant: $183.72 (2002)
Graduate
Student Senate Travel Grant: $250 (2002)
Graduate Student Senate Research Grant: $125 (2001)
Graduate Student Senate Travel Grant: $250 (2001)
Blanche Adams and M. Francis Adams Memorial Scholarship in Zoology (2000)
Graduate Student Senate Research Grant: $250 (2000)
Graduate Student Senate Travel Grant: $125 (2000)
NSF Graduate Fellowship Honorable Mention (1999, 2000)
Scholar of the College: University of Minnesota-Morris (1999)
UROP Grant (1998-1999)
Kaufman - McCree Award: Excellence in Science (1998-1999)
Research Training Program National Museum of Natural History, Grant from the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program:
Award #DBI-9531331 (1998)
Gertrude Gaffney Hanlon Memorial Scholarship (1997-1998)
Morris Academic Partnership (1996-1997)
UMM Academic Scholarship (1995-1997)
Presidential Scholarship (UMM) (1995-1997)
Dean’s List (UMM)(12 quarters) (1995-1999)
Research Experience:
Dissertation research, University of Oklahoma (1999-2002): I studied the change in lizard community structure across an expanding desert grassland / creosote shrubland ecotone at the Jornada LTER in southern New Mexico.
UROP - Speciation in the plant genus Polemonium (1998-1999):
The plant, Polemonium occidenttale var. lusctre is found in only 4 sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It has several closely related relatives on the West Coast. My research used a highly conserved region of ribosomal DNA called the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene to determine if the isolated populations in Minnesota and Wisconsin are a separate species from their West Coast relatives.
Morris Academic Partnership (MAP) - Deformed Frog Research (1996-1999):
Frogs with gross deformities began appearing in high frequency in Minnesota lakes in 1994. In 1996 Dr. David Hoppe provided me with the opportunity to test the hypothesis that the deformities are caused by parasites. My research entailed clearing and staining normal and deformed frogs, and analyzing the specimens for the presence or absence of parasites and describe their developmental abnormalities. I have synthesized the staining technique from several other techniques, performed extensive literature searches, captured and analyzed frog populations, and conducted frog-calling surveys. This research was presented at the Minnesota Academy of Science in May 1999.
Evaluation of the taxonomic status of the soles currently referred to as Soleichthys Bleeker, 1856 (1998):
I was accepted to the REU program offered at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to study Flatfish. Flatfish are a taxonomically diverse group of fish which have been little studied. I worked with Dr. Thomas Munroe to describe two new species Soleichthys and differentiate them from other closely related species.
Lake Itasca Biological Field Station (1997):
I
participated in a class on identifying plants found in boreal forests and the
plains. My research at the field station was an analysis of floral
succession. For that research project I performed several vegetative
surveys in three different habitats. My vegetative surveys were used by
the ornithology class at the field station in their publications on bird
populations and habitats. Part of my time with the ornithology class was
instructing them in plant identification, and the techniques involved in
conducting and analyzing a vegetative survey.
Teaching Experience:
University of Oklahoma: Introduction to Zoology Lab: I teach two lab sections of 26 students each. Labs explore the field of zoology, with emphasis on major disciplines within the field (i.e. microscopy, behavior, taxonomy, genetics, evolution, physiology, anatomy, and ecology). August -December 1999, January-May 2000, Aug-December 2000.
University of Oklahoma: Principles of Ecology Lab: I am the primary instructor of 1 lab section and assist with two other lab sections of 25 students each. Labs are designed to teach field methods, analysis, and the use of models for solving ecological questions. January-May 2001, January-May 2002.
University of Oklahoma: Principles of Physiology Lab: Instructor for one lab section of 10 students. Labs are designed to provide students with an introduction to techniques in physiology. August-December 2001.
University of Oklahoma: Field Ecology Lab: I am the instructor for a lab of 11 students. The lab is designed to help students formulate, implement and analyze data from individual projects performed in the field. August-December 2001.
University of California, San Diego: Introduction to Ecology Class: Head teaching assistant, led discussion sections, graded exams and papers, led review sessions. January-March 2004.
University
of
Guest Lecturer:
Introduction to Ecology (2005)
Biometry (2005)
Insect Ecology (2004)
Introduction to Ecology (2004)
Membership in Professional Societies:
Minnesota Herpetological Society: 1992-present
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists: 1998-2004
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles: 1998-2004
Herpetologists’ League: 1998-2004
Ecological Society of America: 1999-present
Community and Professional Service:
Reviewer for The Southwestern Naturalist (2000-Present).
University
of
University of California, San Diego, Graduate Student Representative on the Conservation Biology Faculty Search Committee (2003-2004).
University
of Oklahoma, Computer Services Committee (1999-2000, 2001-2002).
University of Oklahoma, Graduate Student Faculty Representative (2000-2001).
University
of Oklahoma, Chair of Zoology Student Advisory Committee (2000-2001).
Member and Participant in the Minnesota Herpetological Society (1992-)
Como Zoo Junior Docent (1988-1995)
References:
Dr.
David A. Holway
Assistant
Professor
Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
Division of Biological Sciences
9500 Gilman Drive
University of California at San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093-0116
Phone: (858) 822-5206
FAX: (858) 534-7108
Email: dholway@biomail.ucsd.edu
Dr. David M. Hoppe
Professor of Biology
University of Minnesota - Morris
Morris, MN 56267
Phone: (320) 589-6304
FAX: (320) 589-6371
Email: hoppedm@mrs.umn.edu
Dr. Thomas A. Munroe
Systematic Zoologist
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Systematics Laboratory, MRC 153
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC 20560
Phone: (202) 357-4255
Email: munroe.tom@nmnh.si.edu
Dr. Kaustov Roy
Associate Professor
Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
Division of Biological Sciences
9500 Gilman Drive
University of California at San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093-0116
Phone: (858) 822-2059
FAX: (858) 534-7108
Email: kroy@biomail.ucsd.edu
Dr. Laurie J. Vitt
Curator of Reptiles
Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Professor, Department of Zoology
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-5002
FAX: (405) 325-7771
Email: vitt@ou.edu