LINDSEY NOELE SWIERK (née Swiacki) PhD Candidate 208 Mueller Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, USA The Pennsylvania State University, Eberly College of Science Phone: 814.865.7540 / 814.867.2252 Email: LNS146@psu.edu RESEARCH INTERESTS Behavioral ecology and sexual selection theory. Adaptive significance of reproductive strategies in ecologically constrained mating systems. Behavioral and physiological responses to environmental alteration and global change. Interdisciplinary research, e.g. ecological responses to human resource use, and biological invaders. EDUCATION 2009-present PhD in Ecology. Biology Department; Penn State University. University Park, PA. 2007-2008 MES (Master of Environmental Studies). University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA. 2003-2007 BA. Magna Cum Laude. Biology and Environmental Science. University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Graduate Research Assistant (2009- present). Langkilde Laboratory, Penn State University. Currently investigating how reproductive strategies and behaviors may be modified by ecological constraints using wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) as study organisms. Research Assistant (2009). Langkilde Laboratory, Penn State University. Performed field and laboratory experiments regarding the community-level implications of the invasive green iguana in Puerto Rico. Independent Researcher (2008). Amazon Conservatory of Tropical Studies, Iquitos, Peru. Designed and implemented a human ecology study on the sustainability of subsistence fisheries, including surveying fishing practices and interviewing fish stall owners in Iquitos. Field Assistant (2007). Hoedspruit/University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Collected daily behavioral data on two wild groups of dwarf mongooses to aid in an investigation of the social prestige hypothesis and the indirect fitness benefits of group guarding behavior.
Field Assistant (2006). Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Participated in the Lepidopteran diversity project, Caterpillars, pupae, butterflies and moths of the ACG online database (http://janzen.sas.upenn.edu) by collecting and cataloguing larvae in the field. Research Assistant (2006). Casper Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania. Generated laboratory data to uncover soil nitrogen s impact on microbial communities and ecosystem function, which are published in a peer-reviewed publication authored by a supervising graduate student. Research Assistant (2004-2006). Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania. Determined the effects of elevated water temperature on energetic strategies of three species of coral from the Red Sea in an independent project. GRANTS, AWARDS, AND FELLOWSHIPS 2010 Graduate Research Fellowship. The National Science Foundation. ($121,500) Student Research Award. Animal Behavior Society. ($600) Grant-in-Herpetology, Travel Category. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. ($500) 2009 University Graduate Fellowship. Penn State University. ($38,000) 2008 MES Capstone Research Award with stipend. University of Pennsylvania. ($1,800) Braddock Award. Penn State University. (declined). ($6,000) Fund for Excellence in Graduate Recruitment (FEGR) Award. Penn State University. (declined). ($2,500) 2007 The Greg and Susan Walker Endowed Research Award with stipend. University of Pennsylvania. ($800) 2006 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Fund. The National Science Foundation. ($2,000) 2003-7 Dean s List. University of Pennsylvania.
PUBLICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS Publications (*indicates undergraduate mentee): Swierk, L.N., M. Ridgway*, and T. Langkilde. In prep. Female choice on male traits in eastern fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus. Swierk, L.N., G. Barber, J. Swierk, & T. Langkilde. In prep. The effect of temperature on coloration and intraspecific signaling in the eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus. Swierk, L.N. and S.R. Madigosky. In prep. Sustainability of a subsistence Amazonian fishery. Swierk, L.N. and T. Langkilde. 2009. Micronutrient input into a mangrove ecosystem in Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico, by the exotic green iguana Iguana iguana. Current Zoology 55(6): 50-53. Young, S. and L.N. Swiacki. 2006. Surveying the forest biodiversity of Evansburg State Park: Plant community classification and species diversity assessment. International Journal of Botany 2: 293-299. Oral Presentations: Swierk, L.N. 2009. Fall Semester Ecology Graduate Colloquium. Penn State University, University Park, PA. Swiacki, L.N. 2008. Landscapes of Latin America: Economic Development, Ethics, and the Environment in the 21st Century. Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, King s College. Wilkes-Barre, PA. Swiacki, L.N. 2007. Senior Research Conference, Department of Earth and Environmental Science. University of Pennsylvania, PA. Poster Presentations: Swierk, L.N. and T. Langkilde. 2010. Graduate Exhibition, Penn State University, State College, PA. Swierk, L.N. and T. Langkilde. 2010. Ecological Society of America, Pittsburgh, PA. Swierk, L.N. and T. Langkilde. 2010. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Providence, RI.
TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Secretary (2010- present). Ecology Graduate Student Organization. Penn State University. Co-chair (2010- present). Graduate Women in Science s Girl Scout Science Workshops. Selection Committee Member (2010). Ecology Program s Andersen Student Travel Award. Penn State University. Teaching Assistant (2008). Penn State University. Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity (x3). Teaching Assistant (2007-2008). University of Pennsylvania. Introductory Biology I. Introductory Biology II (x2). (Independently taught laboratory as an undergraduate). Introduction to Environmental Analysis (x2). Environmental Case Studies. Part-time Manager (2004-2008). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Live Animal Center. Philadelphia, PA. OUTREACH AND SOCIAL SERVICE Judge (2010). 76th Annual State Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, University Park, PA. Judge (2010). Undergraduate Exhibition, Penn State University. Advisor and Co-founder (2008- present). PSU s Higher Education Mentoring Student Group. Volunteer (2009). PSU Graduate Women in Science s Girl Scout Science Day Workshop. Organizer (2009). Fundraiser for Finca del Niño Orphanage, Honduras. Volunteer (2006-2008). University City Hospitality Coalition s Meal Program. Philadelphia, PA. Volunteer (2001-2008). The Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia, PA. Received 5-year Volunteer Achievement Award.
OTHER SKILLS Computer: Languages: Microsoft Office, R, SAS, JMP, Image J, Sigma Plot, ArcGIS. Spanish; Reading French. PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS 2010-present Ecological Society of America; Animal Behavior Society; American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists 2009-present Sigma Delta Epsilon- Graduate Women in Science; Chicago Herpetological Society.