LVEES 2021
Lehigh Valley Ecology and Evolution Symposium (LVEES) 2021
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Organizer: Dr. Erika Iyengar, Biology Department, Muhlenberg College (iyengar@muhlenberg.edu)
Morning
8:45 | Welcome, orientation remarks
9:00* | Traditional Talks Session 1
12 minutes talk, 3 minutes questions
Moderator: Dr. Richard Niesenbaum, Muhlenberg College
Elizabeth Long, Muhlenberg College
Predators in the water: What’s an isopod to do?
Nikki Morley, Lafayette College
Effect of habitat fragmentation by roads on soil salinity & abundance of terrestrial salamanders
Jessica Hoban, Drexel University
Do metabolic interactions structure the endosymbiotic communities of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum?
Karan Singh, Arcadia University
Testing the center-periphery hypothesis in red cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus) at the edge of their range
Cole Geissler, Muhlenberg College
Variable flowering phenology dependence on climate change by native and non-native plants
10:15 | Short Break
10:30 | Session 2
Moderator: Dr. Sara McClelland, Moravian University
Austin Hoffman, Muhlenberg College
Fish are friends? Lack of predator threat recognition in aquatic isopods
Katie Kavanagh, Lafayette College
Invasive Asian shore crabs and Chinese mitten crabs: Current response, best management practices, and competition dynamics with native blue crabs
Megan Keene, Gettysburg College
Ecosystem service trade-offs within coral reefs: A global analysis
Valerie Kuppek, Dickinson College
Effects of the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) on the agricultural ground-dwelling insect community
Cole Bower and Timothy Cruz, DeSales University
Effect of habitat quality on aggression in convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) pairs
12 noon to 1:00 pm Lunch Break
Moderator: Dr. Megan Rothenberger, Lafayette College
Janniry Cabrera Belen, Moravian University
Pesticide contamination in wetlands: Impacts of pesticides on anuran diversity and abundance
Watch Recording
Tyler Paul, Arcadia University
Testing the center-periphery hypothesis of reduced genetic variation in eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula getula) at the edge of their range
Watch Recording
Caitlin Segarra, Muhlenberg College
Development of sexually dimorphic branchiae in Streblospio benedicti
Watch Recording
Richard Lu, Drexel University
Gut bacterial symbionts of turtle ants express genes for pollen digestion
XXXX
1:30 | Lightning Round Session 2
3 * 5 minute pre-recorded talks, then 10 minutes questions
Patricia Nguyen, The College of New Jersey
Habitat use of red cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Watch Recording
Midelys Franceschini, Moravian University
Measuring color change as a non-invasive method to monitor stress levels in amphibians
Watch Recording
Lauren Crispina, Cedar Crest College
Assessment of microplastic presence, type, and concentration in drinking water on the Cedar Crest College campus
Watch Recording
2:00 | Wrap-up and announcement of best traditional talk awards
TRADITIONAL
– 12 minute live presentation via Zoom with screen sharing
– 3 minutes of questions
LIGHTNING ROUND
– 5 minute pre-recorded talk shown on conference day
– audience views 3 lightning round presentations, then open for 10 minutes of questions across all 3 speakers who will be in live attendance via screen sharing
Undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, and faculty are encouraged to present current research. Top priority will be given to graduating students to present, in the case that there are too many applications to maintain a shortened conference.
No poster session this year; would-be poster presenters are encouraged to consider a “lighting talk” instead.
“Best talk” awards will be given for traditional format talks only.
Questions:
Dr. Erika Iyengar
Biology Department
Muhlenberg College
iyengar@muhlenberg.edu
