Author: Michael J. Dreslik

Andrew C. B. Jesper

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Andrew began with the lab in the Fall of 2018 as a Master’s student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences but then decided to switch to the Ph.D. program. He did his undergraduate work at Principia College, where we assisted Dr. S. Eckert with ecological work on the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). That work consisted of daily radio-tracking to understand the movements, activity areas, and habitat use of the rattlesnake on the site.

Andrew will be conducting his Ph.D. work in association with two SWG projects the lab is running. His primary research examines the factors predicting the timing of emergence in the Timber Rattlesnake across a latitudinal gradient in Illinois. He will also focus on the species’ shuttling behavior during the egress and ingress periods using a combination of wildlife cameras, automated telemetry towers, and PIT tag reader arrays. Lastly, his work will be preparing a predictive model of potential denning habitat for Illinois. Andrew also continues to collaborate with Dr. Eckert at Principia College.

Devin A. Edmonds

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Devin began with the lab in the Fall of 2017 and his M.Sc. research focused on the demography of the Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornate) at two sites in Illinois. The goals of his research were to provide estimations of population sizes, survival, and fecundity. The data he gathered will then be input into deterministic matrix population models and stochastic PVA analyses to better guide the conservation of Ornate Box Turtles in Illinois.  He graduated from the Department of Natural Resources and environmental sciences with an M.Sc. in 2020.

Devin began his interest in herpetology and worked for the U. S. Forest Service on habitat assessments for amphibians, reptiles, and fish in the Sierra Nevada. From there he moved on to the U. S. Geological Survey where he worked with the Yosemite Toad and the Sierra Yellow-Legged Frog. Devin then moved on to work in Madagascar for several years where worked on invasive toad species control and conservation efforts for declining amphibians. Most recently, he had moved to the conservation of Lemurs at The Lemur Conservation Foundation.
Thesis

Expand to see all Devin A. Edmonds' publications

  1. Edmonds, D., Rakotoarisoa, J. C., Rasoanantenaina, S., Sam, S., Soamiarimampionona, J., and E. Tsimialomanana. 2016. Captive management and reproduction of the treefrog Boophis Pyrrhus in Andasibe, Madagascar. Herpetological Review 47(3): 405–409.
  2. Edmonds, D., Rakotoarisoa, J. C., Rasoanantenaina, S., Sam, S. S., Soamiarimampionona, J., Tsimialomanana, E., Youssouf, Dolch, R., Rabemananjara, F., Rabibisoa, N. and E. Robsomanitrandrasana. 2015. Captive husbandry, reproduction and fecundity of the golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) at the Mitsinjo breeding facility in Madagascar. Salamandra 51(4):315–325.
  3. Heinermann, J., Rodríguez, A., Segev, O., Edmonds, D., Dolch, R. and M. Vences. 2015. Year-round activity patterns in a hyperdiverse community of rainforest amphibians in Madagascar. Journal of Natural History. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2015.1009513
  4. Bletz, M. C., Rosa, G. M., Andreone, F., Courtois, E. A., Schmeller, D. S., Rabibisoa, N. H. C., Rabemananjara, F. C. E., Raharivololoniaina, L., Vences, M., Weldon, C., Edmonds, D., Raxworthy, C. J., Harris, R. N., Fisher, M. C., and A. Crottini. 2015. Consistency of published results on the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Madagascar: Formal comment on Kolby et al. Rapid response to evaluate the presence of amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) and Ranavirus in wild amphibian population in Madagascar. PLoS ONE 10(10): e0135900.
  5. Soamiarimampionona, J., Sam, S. S., Dolch, R., Klymus, K., Rabemananjara, F., Robsomanitrandrasana, E., Rakotoarisoa, J. C. and D. Edmonds. 2015. Effects of three diets on development of Mantidactylus betsileanus larvae in captivity. Alytes 32: 7–15.
  6. Moore, M., Solofo Niaina Fidy, J. F. and D. Edmonds. 2015. The new toad in town: Distribution of the Asian toad, ,em>Duttaphrynus melanostictus, in the Toamasina area of eastern Madagascar. Tropical Conservation Science 8(2): 440-455.
  7. Bletz, M., Rosa, G., Andreone, F., Courtois, E., Schmeller, D., Rabibisoa, N., Rabemananjara, F., Raharivololoniaina, L., Vences, M., Weldon, C., Edmonds, D., Raxworthy, C., Harris, R., Fisher, M. and A. Crottini. 2015. Widespread presence of the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in wild amphibian communities in Madagascar. Scientific Reports 5, 8633; DOI: 10.1038/srep08633
  8. Glaw, F., Vallan, D., Andreone, F., Edmonds, D., Dolch, R. and M. Vences. 2015. Beautiful bright belly: A distinctive new microhylid frog from eastern Madagascar. Zootaxa 3925(1): 120-128.
  9. Andreone, F., Rabibisoa, N., Randrianantoandro, C., Crottini, A., Edmonds, D., Kraus, F., Lewis, J.P., Moore, M., Rabemananjara, F.C.E., Rabemanantsoa, J.C., and M. Vences. 2014. Risk review is under way for invasive toad. Nature DOI:10.1038/512253c.
  10. Ndriantsoa, S., Rakotonanahary, T., Dawson, J. and D. Edmonds. 2014. Predation of the Critically Endangered Boophis williamsi by Boophis goudotii at Ankaratra Massif, Madagascar. Herpetology Notes 7: 343–345.
  11. Behm, J., Edmonds, D., Harmon, J. and A. Ives. 2013. Multilevel statistical models and the analysis of experimental data. Ecology 94(7):1479–1486.
  12. Edmonds, D., Rakotoarisoa, J. C., Dolch, R., Pramuk, J., Gagliardo, R., Andreone, F., Rabibisoa, N., Rabemananjara, F., Rabesihanaka, S. and E. Robsomanitrandrasana. 2012. Building capacity to implement conservation breeding programs for frogs in Madagascar: Results from year one of Mitsinjo’s amphibian husbandry research and captive breeding facility. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 5(3): 57-69(e55).
  13. Rosa, G., Edmonds, D., Lau, I., Andreone, F., and P. Eusebio Bergo. 2012. Liopholidophis sexlineatus diet. Herpetological Review. 43(2): 345–346.
  14. Behm, J., Knaebe, B., Wing kan Fu, V. and D. Edmonds. 2011. Polypedates leucomystax (Java Whipping Frog) communal nesting. Herpetological Review 42(4): 587–588.
  15. Edmonds, D. 2011. Frogs and Toads: Complete Herp Care Series. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H.
  16. Edmonds, D. 2009. “Breaking the Glass Box.” Leaf Litter Magazine. Spring 2009: 3–4.
  17. Edmonds, D. 2009. Extended distribution of two frogs from Madagascar: Mantella crocea and Mantella manery (Anura: Mantellidae). Herpetology Notes 2: 53–57.
  18. Edmonds, D. 2009. Salamanders and Newts: Complete Herp Care Series. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H.
  19. Edmonds, D. 2007. Tree Frogs: Complete Herp Care Series. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H.
  20. Edmonds, D. 2007. A. visit to two unique Mantella populations in east-central Madagascar. Leaf Litter. Spring 2007: 14-17.

Grace P. Wu

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Grace began in the lab in the Spring of 2016 and is currently in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science’s online Master’s Degree Program. Currently, she is a Biological Technician for the USDA Forest Service at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie assisting with the restoration and management of tallgrass prairies. Her work at Midewin has sparked an interest in the impact of restored habitat on native fauna. Her research will focus on snakes communities in relation to the age of prairie restorations. For her research, she will examine the occupancy, abundance, and diversity of snake species within Midewin’s restored sites, in relation to the age and size of the restoration. Grace’s work will allow for better guidance and practices for future tallgrass prairie restorations by determining which snake species are first colonizers and how the snake community then shapes.
Midewin has a fairly diverse snake community for Illinois comprising of the following species: North American Racer (Coluber constrictor), Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos), Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum), Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis), Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis vulpinus), Queensnake (Regina septemvittata), Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi), Plains Gartersnake (Thamnophis radix), and the Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis).

Christina Y. Feng

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Christina began working in the lab in the Spring of 2015 conducting surveys of potential impacts of construction and urbanization on the Blanding’s Turtle and Spotted Turtle within the Des Plaines River Valley. Her project focused on the Spotted Turtle populations in Illinois and added additional ecological data to the existing base.  Her thesis comprised three major aspects of the Spotted Turtle’s ecology.  First, she used long-term data collected to determine if there are population-level trends in size, recruitment rates, survival, and population structure.  Next, she examined the demography and life history of the species focusing on deterministic forecasting and elasticity/sensitivity analysis. Her data will be used to guide conservation and recovery efforts for this imperiled species in Illinois. Christina is currently working as a Natural Heritage Biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Thesis

Jason P. Ross

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Jason worked on several projects for us in the herpetology lab including Eastern Massasauga searches, Illinois Mud Turtle radio-telemetry, and Blanding’s Turtle work in the Chicago Region.  He completed his M.Sc. in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois in 2016.  His project examined the population and spatial ecology of the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica) in the Kaskaskia River.  In particular, he studied how high rates of flow affected the spatial biology and behavior of this species.  The project focused on two reaches of the Kaskaskia River, below the Lake Shelbyville Dam and below the Carlyle Lake Dam.  Jason then moved to be an Associate Herpetologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey in the Urban Biotic Assessment Program. Currently, Jason has started his own environmental consulting firm focusing on turtle conservation and ecology.
INHS Report
Link to Thesis

Dr. Ethan J. Kessler

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Dr. Kessler then remained in the lab to begin as a postdoctoral researcher, where he began work on numerous projects. He has continued the Alligator Snapping Turtle reintroduction project for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He has since expanded his research repertoire to include eDNA sampling methods. Currently, Dr. Kessler has ongoing eDNA projects covering the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Mudpuppy, and Salamander Mussel.

Dr. Kessler began work in the herpetology lab aiding with herpetofaunal surveys, a large-scale assessment of ephemeral wetlands quality for amphibians, and aided in the radio-telemetry of the Smooth Softshell Turtle.  He began his research under my advisement in the spring of 2014 as a master’s student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. He later switched to the Ph.D. program and graduated in 2020.  His project was part of a multi-state effort to recovery the Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii ).  Specifically, he examined how wildlife health, habitat use, behavior, and thermal ecology affected survival rates in repatriated turtles raised under different conditions. His project aided in determining measures of success or failure for the repatriation efforts and hence help guide future recovery efforts of the species in Illinois.
Dissertation
News Gazette Article

Co-authored Abstracts

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  1. 2004 – 31st Natural Areas Conference, Chicago, Illinois. Phillips, C. A., M. J. Dreslik, and D. B. Shepard. Tracking the continued decline of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in Illinois.
  2. 2004 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. Wilson, T. P., M. J. Dreslik, and C. H. Ernst. Growth of the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata, from Pennsylvania.
  3. 2004 – 4th Snake Ecology Group meeting (SEG–IV), Touch of Nature Environmental Center, Carbondale, Illinois. Phillips, C. A., M. J. Dreslik, T. G. Anton, D. Mauger, T. P. Wilson, D. B. Shepard, A. Resetar, and B. C. Jellen. Tracking the continued decline of the Eastern Massasauga, Sistrurus c. catenatus, in Illinois.
  4. 2003 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Manaus, Brazil. Jellen, B. C., J. E. Martin de Camilo, C. A. Phillips, M. J. Dreslik, and D. B. Shepard. Reproduction in the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
  5. 2003 – 50th Anniversary meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists. University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. 10 – Shepard, D. B., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, and B. C. Jellen. Foraging ecology of neonate Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
  6. 2002 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Kansas City, Missouri. Shepard, D. B., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, and B. C. Jellen. Ecology of neonate Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
  7. 2001 – Joint Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Herpetologists’ League, Indianapolis, Indiana. Phillips, C. A., Dreslik, M. J., D. B. Shepard, and B. C. Jellen. Home range and movement of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus.
  8. 2001 – Joint Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Herpetologists’ League, Indianapolis, Indiana. Kuhns, A. R., M. J. Dreslik, and B. C. Jellen. Species composition, density, and biomass of a southern Illinois turtle community.
  9. 2001 – Joint Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Herpetologists’ League, Indianapolis, Indiana. Shepard, D. B., C. A. Phillips, M. J. Dreslik, and B. C. Jellen. Population ecology of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus.
  10. 2001 – Joint Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Herpetologists’ League, Indianapolis, Indiana. Jellen, B. C., C. A. Phillips, M. J. Dreslik, and D. B. Shepard. Reproductive ecology of the Eastern  Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus.
  11. 2001 – 93rd Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences, Macomb, Illinois. Kuhns, A. R., and M. J. Dreslik. Species composition, density, and biomass of a southern Illinois turtle community.
  12. 2001 – 93rd Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences, Macomb, Illinois. Shepard, D. B., C. A. Phillips, M. J. Dreslik, and B. C. Jellen. Population ecology of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus.
  13. 2001 – 93rd Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences, Macomb, Illinois. Jellen, B. C., C. A. Phillips, M. J. Dreslik, and D. B. Shepard. Reproductive ecology of the Eastern  Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus.
  14. 2000 – 92nd Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences. Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. Kuhns, A. R., and M. J. Dreslik. Early season basking in the Red–Eared Slider, Trachemys scripta.
  15. 2009 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Portland, Oregon. J. Ray, R. King, M. Duvall, J. Robinson, M. Dreslik, B. Swanson, H. L. Gibbs. Genetic variation of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake: implications for conservation and captive breeding.
  16. 2007 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. St. Louis, Missouri. Baker, S. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Response of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) to flooding at Carlyle Lake, Illinois.
  17. 2007 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. St. Louis, Missouri. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, and D. Mauger. Resource partitioning along a spatial gradient within a turtle assemblage in northeastern Illinois.
  18. 2007 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. St. Louis, Missouri. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Spatial ecology and habitat preference of a turtle community in a northeastern Illinois prairie wetland.
  19. 2006 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologist League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Spatial ecology and habitat preference of the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in a northeastern Illinois prairie wetland community.
  20. 2006 – 67th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, Nebraska. Baker, S. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Effects of habitat fragmentation on grassland snake communities in southwestern Illinois.
  21. 2006 – 67th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, Nebraska. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Population ecology of the Blanding’s turtle in northeastern Illinois.
  22. 2006 – 4th Annual Meeting of the Turtle Survival Alliance, St. Louis, Missouri. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, D. Mauger, and T. P. Wilson. Population ecology of the Blanding’s turtle in northeastern Illinois.
  23. 2005 – 19th Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology, Universidade de Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil. Shepard, D. B., M. J. Dreslik, B. C. Jellen, and C. A. Phillips. Reptile road mortality around an oasis in the Illinois corn desert, with emphasis on the endangered Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
  24. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Shepard, D. B., M. J. Dreslik, B. C. Jellen, and C. A. Phillips. Reptile road mortality around an oasis in the Illinois corn desert, with emphasis on the endangered Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
  25. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Mauger, D, M. J. Dreslik, and T. P. Wilson. Ecology of the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) from a dedicated Nature Preserve.
  26. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Readel, A. M., M. J. Dreslik, J. K. Warner, W. J. Banning, and C. A. Phillips. Ontogenetic divergence in secondary sexual characteristics in the slider (Trachemys scripta).
  27. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, J. K. Warner, and A. M. Readel. Habitat use of juvenile slider turtles (Trachemys scripta).
  28. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Hunkapiller, T. J., M. J. Dreslik, E. J. Menzel, and J. M. Mui. Spatial relationships in the breeding chorus of the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica).
  29. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Menzel, E. J., T. H. Hunkapiller, M. J. Dreslik, and J. M. Mui. Post–breeding spatial ecology of male Rana sylvatica.
  30. 2005 – Department of Defense Natural Resources Training Workshop, National Military Fish and Wildlife Association Meeting, Arlington, Virginia. Taylor, S. J., J. K. Krejca, M. L. Denight, K. Hackley, S. E. Greenberg, M. J. Dreslik, J. E. Smith, and M. Muyot. Structure of cave communities and cave cricket foraging behavior at Fort Hood, Texas.
  31. 2005 – 97th Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences, Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, J. K. Warner, and A. M. Readel. Habitat use of juvenile slider turtles (Trachemys scripta).
  32. 2005 – 97th Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences, Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. Readel, A. M., M. J. Dreslik, J. K. Warner, and W. J. Banning. Ontogenetic divergence in secondary sexual characteristics in the slider (Trachemys scripta).
  33. 2005 – 25th Annual Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, J. K. Warner, and A. M. Readel. Habitat use of juvenile slider turtles (Trachemys scripta).
  34. 2005 – 25th Annual Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Readel, A. M., M. J. Dreslik, J. K. Warner, and W. J. Banning. Ontogenetic divergence in secondary sexual characteristics in the slider (Trachemys scripta).
  35. 2005 – Biology of the Rattlesnakes Symposium, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. Aldridge, R. D., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, B. C. Jellen, M. C. Allender, and J. M. Cox. Reproductive biology of the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) from south central Illinois.
  36. 2005 – Biology of the Rattlesnakes Symposium, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. T. G. Anton, Dreslik, M. J., C. A. Phillips, D. Mauger, T. P. Wilson, D. B. Shepard, A. Resetar, B. C. Jellen. Monitoring the continuing decline of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) in Illinois.
  37. 2014 – Turtle Survival Alliance, Orlando Florida. Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. Population and community structure of Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica) and Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera) Turtles in the Kaskaskia River of Illinois.
  38. 2014 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Anthonysamy, W. J. B., S. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, M. A. Davis, M. A. Douglas, M. E. Douglas, and C. A. Phillips. Genetic assessment of an Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) population in Illinois.
  39. 2014 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Wylie, D. B., M. C. Allender, S. J. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. A test of non-invasive detection methods for snake fungal disease.
  40. 2014 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Wylie, S. J., D. B. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Translocation as a conservation tool for an endangered rattlesnake in Illinois.
  41. 2014 – Biology of the Pitvipers 2, Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anthonysamy, W. J. B., S. J. Wylie, M. A. Davis, M. J. Dreslik, M. R. Douglas, M. E. Douglas, and C. A. Phillips. Genetic assessment of a bottlenecked Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) population in Illinois.
  42. 2014 – Biology of the Pitvipers 2, Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wylie, D. B., S. J. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, and M. C. Allender. Prevalence of snake fungal disease in the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) from Illinois.
  43. 2014 – Biology of the Pitvipers 2, Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wylie, D. B., M. C. Allender, S. J. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. A test of non-invasive detection methods for snake fungal disease.
  44. 2014 – 46th Annual Conference of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Orlando Florida. Allender, M., D. Wylie, S. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, C. Phillips, and C. Maddox. The changing epidemiology of Ophiodiomyces in free-ranging snakes: surveillance, experimental challenge, and development of new diagnostics.
  45. 2014 – 74th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri. Wylie, S, D. Wylie, M. Dreslik, and C. Phillips Spatial ecology and mortality in neonate Eastern Massasaugas.
  46. 2013 – 11th Annual Meeting of the Turtle Survival Alliance, St. Louis, Missouri. Anthonysamy, W., G. Klut, D. Thompson, A. Kuhns, M. Dreslik, D. Kirk, and C. Phillips. Genetic diversity and gene flow of Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) populations across northeastern Illinois, USA.
  47. 2013 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Albuquerque New Mexico . Anthonysamy, W., M. Dreslik, D. Mauger, and C. A. Phillips. Habitat partitioning in a Midwest turtle assemblage.
  48. 2013 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Albuquerque New Mexico . Wylie, D., S. Wylie, M. Allender, M. Dreslik, and C. Phillips. Detection of Chrysosporium infections in two North American viper species.
  49. 2013 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Albuquerque New Mexico . Wylie, S, D. Wylie, M. Dreslik, and C. Phillips Spatial ecology and mortality in neonate Eastern Massasaugas.
  50. 2011 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Minneapolis, Minnesota . Banning-Anthonysamy, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, M. R. Douglas, N. K. Marioni, and C. A. Phillips. Mating system and reproductive success in Blanding’s turtles (Emys blandingii).
  51. 2011 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Minneapolis, Minnesota . Banning-Anthonysamy, W. J., D. Mauger, M. J. Dreslik, M. R, Douglas, and C. A. Phillips. Population genetics of the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in Illinois.
  52. 2010 – Midwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation meeting. Oregon, Illinois. Banning, W. J., M. J. Dreslik, M. R. Douglas, N. K. Marioni, and C. A. Phillips. Mating Systems and Determinants of Reproductive Success in Blanding’s Turtles in Illinois.
  53. 2017- Turtle Survival Alliance, Charleston, South Carolina. Hedrick, A. R., H. M. Klondaris, L. C. Corichi, M. J. Dreslik. J. B. Iverson. The effects of climate on annual variation in reproductive output in Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina).
  54. 2017- Turtle Survival Alliance, Charleston, South Carolina. Ross, J. P., C. Y. Feng, and M. J. Dreslik. Evaluating turtle passage gates using remote camera traps and visual encounter surveys.
  55. 2017 – Biology of Snakes Conference, Rodeo, New Mexico. Baker, S. J., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, and M. C. Allender. Impact of snake fungal disease on population viability.
  56. 2017 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Austin, Texas. Baker, S. J., M. J. Dreslik, C. A. Phillips, and M. C. Allender. Impact of snake fungal disease on population viability.
  57. 2017 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Austin, Texas. Ross, J. P., C. Y. Feng, and M. J. Dreslik. Evaluating reptile and amphibian passage gates using remote camera traps. Presentation.
  58. 2017 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Austin, Texas. Sites, A. J., J. L. Sherwood, J. S. Tiemann, and M. J. Dreslik. Assessing the distribution of Iowa Darters (Etheostoma exile) in streams of northern Illinois. Presentation.
  59. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Baker, S. J., M. J. Dreslik, Christopher A. Phillips, and Matthew C. Allender. Hematology and emergence of snake fungal disease in Illinois Easter Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus).
  60. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Davis, Mark A., M. J. Dreslik, Sarah J. Baker, Christopher A. Phillips, Charles Smith, Roger Repp, and Gordon Schuett. A comparative assessment of pitviper life histories using robust quantification.
  61. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Feng, C. Y., and M. J. Dreslik. Sex differentiation in the growth of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata).
  62. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Feng, C. Y., D. Mauger, J. P. Ross, and M. J. Dreslik. A long-term demographic analysis of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in Illinois.
  63. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. Spatial ecology of the Smooth Softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) in the Kaskaskia River of Illinois.
  64. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. Population and community structure of Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica) and Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera) turtles in the Kaskaskia River of Illinois.
  65. 2016- Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Stites, A. J., J. Sherwood, J. S. Tiemann, and M. J. Dreslik. Reassessment of Iowa Darter habitat in Illinois.
  66. 2016 – MidwestFish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Baker, S. J., M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Long-term monitoring of the Eastern Massasauga in Illinois.
  67. 2016 – Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Feng, C. Y., and M. J. Dreslik. Sex differentiation in the growth of Spotted Turtles, Clemmys gutatta.
  68. 2016 – Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kessler, E. J., J. P. Ross, C. A. Phillips, and M. J. Dreslik. Brownian bridge movement models using telemetry data: a case study with Eastern Box Turtles, Terrapene carolina.
  69. 2016 – Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Stites, A. J., J. L. Sherwood, J. S. Tiemann, and M. J. Dreslik. Reassessment of Iowa Darter habitat in Illinois.
  70. 2016 – Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tiemann, J. S., S. J. Baker, S. A. Douglass, C. A. Phillips, and M. J. Dreslik. Assessment of a freshwater mussel community and short distance translocation in Northern Illinois.
  71. 2015 – Turtle Survival Alliance, Tucson, Arizona. Kessler, E. J., M. C. Allender, S. J. Baker-Wylie, and M. J. Dreslik. Assessing health through hematology in head-started Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii).
  72. 2015 – Turtle Survival Alliance, Tucson, Arizona. Kessler, E. J., S. R. Ballard, C. A. Phillips, and M. J. Dreslik. Preliminary results of a translocation of head-started Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) in Illinois.
  73. 2015 – Turtle Survival Alliance, Tucson, Arizona. Kessler, E. J., J. P. Ross, C. A. Phillips, and M. J. Dreslik. Using Brownian Bridge movement models to estimate home range size in Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina).
  74. 2015 – Turtle Survival Alliance, Tucson, Arizona. Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. Spatial ecology of the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica) in the Kaskaskia River of Illinois.
  75. 2015 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and Herpetologists’ League. Reno, Nevada. W. Anthonysamy, M. Dreslik, M. Douglas, D. Thompson, G. Klut, A. Kuhns, D. Mauger, G. Glowacki, C. Phillips. Genetic patterns among rare and common turtle species.
  76. 2015 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and Herpetologists’ League. Reno, Nevada. Kessler, E. J., M. C. Allender, and M. J. Dreslik. Assessing health through hematology in head-started Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii).
  77. 2015 – International Urban Wildlife Conference, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. Tiemann, J. S., S. J. Baker-Wylie, C. A. Phillips, and M. J. Dreslik. Fish Community structure along the I-90 Tollway.
  78. 2015 – International Urban Wildlife Conference, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. Baker-Wylie, S. J., J. S. Tiemann, C. A. Phillips, and M. J. Dreslik. Assessment of a freshwater mussel community and short distance translocation in northern Illinois.
  79. 2015 – 9th Biennial Freshwater Mussel Conservation Society, St. Louis, Missouri. Baker-Wylie, S. J., J. S. Tiemann, M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Assessment of a freshwater mussel community and short distance translocation in northern Illinois.
  80. 2015 – 53rd Annual Meeting of the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Pere Marquette, Illinois. Baker-Wylie, S. J., J. S. Tiemann, M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips. Assessment of a freshwater mussel community and short distance translocation in northern Illinois.
  81. 2015 – 75th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana. Kessler, E. J., M. J. Dreslik, and S. R. Ballard Recovery of the Alligator Snapping Turtle in Illinois: background and large-scale results.
  82. 2015 – 75th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana. Baker-Wylie, S. J., D. B. Wylie, M. J. Dreslik, and C. A. Phillips Prevalence of snake fungal disease (Sistrurus catenatus) from Illinois.
  83. 2015 – 75th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana. Ross, J. P., and M. J. Dreslik. Population and community structure of Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica) and Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera) turtles in the Kaskaskia River, Illinois.

Contributed Posters

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  1. 2017 – Biology of Snake 2017 Conference, Rodeo, New Mexico. Factors affecting the movements of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) from the mid-Atlantic coastal plain. Co-authored with C. E. Petersen, S. M. Goetz, J. D. Kleopfer, and A. H. Savitzky.
  2. 2017 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Austin, Texas. Spatial ecology of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) from the mid-Atlantic coastal plain. Co-authored with C. E. Petersen, S. M. Goetz, J. D. Kleopfer, and A. H. Savitzky.
  3. 2007 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. St. Louis, Missouri. Patterns of habitat use in the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus). Co–authored with D. B. Shepard, B. C. Jellen, S. J. Baker, and C. A. Phillips.
  4. 2006 – 4th Annual Meeting of the Turtle Survival Alliance, St. Louis, Missouri. Turtle assemblages in northeastern Illinois. Co–authored with A. R. Kuhns and W. J. Banning.
  5. 2006 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Turtle assemblages in northeastern Illinois. Co–authored with A. R. Kuhns.
  6. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Fidelity to over–wintering refugia in the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus). Co–authored with C. A. Phillips, B. C. Jellen, and D. B. Shepard.
  7. 2004 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. Tracking the continued decline of the Eastern Massasauga, Sistrurus c. catenatus, in Illinois. Co– authored with T. G. Anton, C. A. Phillips, D. Mauger, T. P. Wilson, D. B. Shepard, A. Resetar, and B. C. Jellen.
  8. 2004 -Snake Ecology Group IV, Touch of Nature, Carbondale, Illinois. Tracking the continued decline of the Eastern Massasauga, Sistrurus c. catenatus, in Illinois. Co– authored with T. G. Anton, C. A. Phillips, D. Mauger, T. P. Wilson, D. B. Shepard, A. Resetar, and B. C. Jellen.

Contributed Papers

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  1. 2017 – Biology of Snake Conference, Rodeo, New Mexico.. Spatial ecology of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) from the mid-Atlantic coastal plain. Co-authored with C. E. Petersen, S. M. Goetz, J. D. Kleopfer, and A. H. Savitzky.
  2. 2017 – Biology of Snake Conference, Rodeo, New Mexico.. Detection probability and capture yield of an imperiled species. Co-authored with J. A. Crawford, S. J. Baker, W. E. Peterman, and C. A. Phillips.
  3. 2017 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Austin, Texas.. Factors affecting the movements of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) from the mid-Atlantic coastal plain. Co-authored with C. E. Petersen, S. M. Goetz, J. D. Kleopfer, and A. H. Savitzky.
  4. 2016 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana.. Factors affecting the detection probability and capture yield of an imperiled species. Co-authored with J. A. Crawford, S. J. Baker, W. E. Peterman, and C. A. Phillips.
  5. 2016 -76th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Factors affecting the detection probability and capture yield of an imperiled species. Co-authored with J. A. Crawford, S. J. Baker, W. E. Peterman, and C. A. Phillips.
  6. 2014 – Biology of the Pitvipers 2, Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Life in a mosaic: survival and reproduction of an Eastern Massasauga population (Sistrurus catenatus) isolated within an agricultural landscape. Co-authored with M. A. Davis, S. J. Wylie, and C. A. Phillips.
  7. 2011 – 71st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Population dynamics of the Eastern Massasauga from a 12–year study.
  8. 2006 – 67th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Omaha, Nebraska. Demography and viability of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) in Illinois. Co–authored with S. J. Baker and C. A. Phillips.
  9. Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. New Orleans, Louisiana. Demography and viability of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake. Co–authored with C. A. Phillips, D. B. Shepard, and B. C. Jellen.
  10. 2005 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Tampa, Florida. Demographic trends of the River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna) over a decade of monitoring. Co–authored with A. R. Kuhns and C. A. Phillips.
  11. 2004 – 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Indianapolis Indiana. Spatial ecology of the Eastern Massasauga from the southern range limit. Co–authored with C. A. Phillips and D. B. Shepard.
  12. 2004 – 31st Natural Areas Conference, Chicago, Illinois. Home range and movement of the Eastern Massasauga from the Carlyle Lake region. Co–authored with C. A. Phillips and D. B. Shepard.
  13. 2004 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. Growth and sexual size dimorphism of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) from its southern range limit. Co–authored with C. A. Phillips, D. B. Shepard, and B. C. Jellen.
  14. 2004 – 4th Snake Ecology Group Meeting, Touch of Nature Environmental Center, Carbondale, Illinois. Seasonality in the movement patterns of a North American viper (Sistrurus c. catenatus). Co–authored with D. B. Shepard, C. A. Phillips, and B. C. Jellen.
  15. 2002 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Kansas City, Missouri . Thermal and behavioral relationships of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus). Co–authored with: C. A. Phillips, B. C. Jellen, and D. B. Shepard.
  16. 2001 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Indianapolis, Indiana . Microhabitat characteristics of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus, at the Southern Range Limit. Co–authored with: C. A. Phillips, D. B. Shepard, and B. C. Jellen.
  17. 2001 – Illinois State Academy of Sciences. Macomb, Illinois. Home range and movement in the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. Co–authored with: C. A. Phillips, D. B. Shepard, and B. C. Jellen.
  18. 2001 – Illinois State Academy of Sciences. Macomb, Illinois. Microhabitat characteristics of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus, at the Southern Range Limit. Co–authored with: C. A. Phillips, B. C. Jellen, and D. B. Shepard.
  19. 2000 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. La Paz, Mexico. Application of population estimation to pond breeding salamanders. Co–authored with: C. A. Phillips, J. A. Johnson, and J. E. Petzing.
  20. 1999 – Illinois Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Allerton Park, Illinois. Geographic comparisons of Illinois chelonian communities.
  21. 1998 – 18th Annual Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, Charleston, Illinois. Dietary notes on the Red–Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta) and River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna) from Southern Illinois.
  22. 1998 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Guelph, Ontario. Modeling organismal growth in turtle populations: assumption validation and practicality. Co–authored with L. P. Comerford.
  23. 1997 – Illinois Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Collinsville, Illinois. Ecology of the River Cooter, Pseudemys concinna, from a southern Illinois flood–plain lake.
  24. 1997 – Joint Meeting of American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists’ League. Seattle, Washington. Geographic comparisons of Illinois chelonian communities. Co–authored with E. O. Moll.
  25. 1996 – Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence, Kansas Some aspects of River Cooter, Pseudemys concinna, ecology from a southern Illinois backwater.

Invited Speaker

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  1. 2017 – Eastern Massasauga Conservation and Coordination Meeting, Carlyle, Illinois. Status of the Eastern Massasauga in Illinois.
  2. 2016 – Blanding’s & Wood Turtle Conservation Symposium, Westborough, Massachusetts. Blanding’s Turtle conservation and management in Illinois.
  3. 2015 – Annual IDNR Division of Natural Heritage Retreat, Springfield, Illinois. Controlled burning and amphibians and reptiles – a hot topic.
  4. 2013 – Midwest Herpetological Symposium, Peoria, Illinois. Ecology and conservation of the Eastern Massasauga through long-term study.
  5. 2011 – Biology of the Rattlesnakes Symposium, Tucson, Arizona. Demography and life history of the Eastern Massasauga: long–term study at the southern range limit.
  6. 2010 – Chicago Wilderness Blanding’s Turtle Workshop. Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois. Population Biology of Emydoidea blandingii: Challenges for Conservation.
  7. 2008 – United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Ten–year status assessment of the Eastern Massasauga, East Lansing, Michigan. The Massasauga Saga: Summary of the Biology of Sistrurus catenatus. (Co–presented with Richard Seigel and Bruce Kingsbury.
  8. 2008 – Meeting of Michigan Eastern Massasauga Working Group. East Lansing, Michigan. Population viability and demography of the Eastern Massasauga: a risk assessment.
  9. 2007 – Reintroduction and translocations of wildlife: challenges and strategies for wildlife managers, a workshop. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. Monitoring turtles and snakes: methods, considerations, and uses.
  10. 2006 – Illinois State Museum Seminar Series, Springfield, Illinois. Ecology and conservation of the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus).
  11. 2005 – 66th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Symposium, Grand Rapids, Michigan. A turtle’s pace: Conservation strategies for Midwestern turtle species. Co–authored with W. J. Banning and C. A. Phillips.
  12. 2004 – 3rd Annual Illinois Wilds Institute for Nature – Reptiles and Amphibians, Cache River, Illinois. Life history and ecology of the Eastern Massasauga.
  13. 2004 – Champaign Area Society of Herpetoculturists, Champaign, Illinois. An ecological portrait of a critically imperiled species: The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in Illinois.
  14. 2003 – Central Illinois Herpetological Society. Peoria, Illinois. An ecological portrait of a critically imperiled species: The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in Illinois.
  15. 2003 – Central Illinois Prairie Conference. Champaign, Illinois. An ecological portrait of a critically imperiled species: The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in Illinois.
  16. 2002 – Department of Biology, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois. Spatial dynamics of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus c. catenatus and their application to reserve design and conservation.
  17. 2002 – Chicago Herpetological Society. Natural history of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus.
  18. 2001 – Herpetology Group. George Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Conservation and ecology of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake. Co–presented with Dr. C. A. Phillips, D. B. Shepard, and B. C. Jellen.
  19. 2000 – Department of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution – Eco–lunch. University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign, Illinois. Evidence of ontogenetic dimorphism in the chelonian shell.
  20. 1998 – 99th meeting of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. Springfield, Illinois. Ecology of the River Cooter, Pseudemys concinna, from a southern Illinois flood–plain lake.
  21. 1998 – Department of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution – Eco–lunch. University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign, Illinois. Growth modeling in turtles: assumption reduction and further advances.