Herpetology Research Lab
DeSantis Herpetology Research Lab
GCSU
Anna Tipton, M.S.
Collaborator
After completing her B.S. in Biology at Georgia College, Anna joined the lab during the Fall of 2020 in pursuit of her M.S. Anna's thesis research used the recently validated Radio Telemetry-Accelerometry framework to evaluate the spatial and temporal movement responses of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) to roadways in the middle Georgia piedmont. Anna completed her M.S in May 2022 and is now pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at El Paso where she'll continue her behavioral ecology investigations with rattlesnakes. She remains involved in several ongoing collaborative projects in the GC Herpetology Research Lab.
Morgan Thompson, B.S.
M.S. Student
After completing her B.S. in Biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, Morgan migrated to Milledgeville to pursue her M.S. at Georgia College beginning Fall 2021. Morgan's thesis research will seek to contribute to a collaborative effort among multiple labs to validate the long-term external attachment of accelerometer dataloggers with rattlesnakes to enable the recording and classification of cryptic behaviors in the field. Morgan's work will include both lab and field-based elements, and preliminary results from this ongoing series of projects were recently presented at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.
Will Tillett, B.S.
M.S. Student
Will joined the lab during the spring 2021 semester and initially volunteered in field work and data entry. After deciding to ultimately remain in the lab to pursue his M.S. in Biology, he began his thesis research focussed on a more thorough test of the energetics hypothesis in snakes. Will's project seeks to leverage the RT-ACT framework for a detailed exploration of the effects of foraging mode and thermal preferences on the movement and space use of two North American snake species with differing energetic demands, Rat Snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) and Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus).
Amber joined the lab in the Fall of 2022 and is eager to initiate an independent research project to validate the use of high-frequency accelerometer recording to remotely classify predatory behaviors in Rat Snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). This work will consist of distinct captive validation and field components and fits into a broader series of collaborative research among multiple labs and institutions aiming to expand the utility of accelerometer recording of behavior in snakes.
Dani Bartlett
Undergraduate Student
Dani joined the lab in the Spring of 2022 with a passionate interest in animal conservation. She initially served as a volunteer field worker and data entry assistant but has recently opted to complete her GC capstone research project within the lab. Dani's project will evaluate the effects of overwintering site characteristics on body temperature variation, body mass loss, and Ophidiomyces ("Snake Fungal Disease") infection load in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus).
Elizabeth Noble, B.S.
M.S. Student
After completing her B.S. in Biology from The University of North Georgia, Elizabeth came to Milledgeville to pursue her M.S. in Biology at Georgia College beginning Fall 2022. Elizabeth's thesis research will seek to build upon previous work in the lab exploring the effects of roadways on the movement behavior of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus). Specifically, she will combine radio telemetry and accelerometry to quantify associations between road interaction frequency, movement patterns, and mate location success.
Jack Powers
Undergraduate Student
Jack is finishing up his fourth year of undergraduate studies and will begin the pursuit of his M.S. in Biology at Georgia College in Fall 2023. Jack has had a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors and wildlife. He joined the lab to explore his interests in herpetology and is excited to continue in this field. Jack's thesis research will center on a novel combination of radio telemetry, accelerometry, and remote videography to quantify aspects of seasonal migration and overwintering behavior in a southeastern population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus).
Ziv Moench
Undergraduate Student
Ziv joined the lab during her first semester at Georgia College during the Fall of 2022, coming to us with her Master Herpetologist Certification from the Amphibian Foundation. Ziv’s love for reptiles and amphibians started at a young age and only grew from there, culminating with a decision to seek a career in herpetology. Entering the lab with a major interest in salamanders, she quickly gained a new love for pit vipers. In order to continue with her education in herpetology–while completing her B.S. at Georgia College–she plans to concentrate on the environmental sciences, as well as continue to assist with lab and field work.
Luke Wilson
Undergraduate Student
Luke joined the lab in the Spring of 2022 full of enthusiasm for animal husbandry and veterinary aspirations. He has been heavily involved in the care and maintenance of the captive research and teaching animals housed in the GC Herpetology Vivarium, and assists in fieldwork and data entry for all ongoing projects in the lab.
Amber Stubbs
Undergraduate Student
