Current Graduate Student Projects
| Investigator | Thesis Name | School | Jones Center Advisor |
| Travis Alstad | Red-cockaded woodpecker genetics | University of Georgia | L. M. Conner |
| Doug Aubrey | Scaling internally cycled respired carbon from individual tree to ecosystem scales | University of Georgia | R. J. Mitchell |
| Jesse Canfield | A fast-running physics-based model for coupled atmosphere fire behavior: model development and comparison with experimental field data | Florida State University | R. J. Mitchell |
| David S. Dyson | The effect of light and moisture on longleaf pine seedling growth under varying canopy densities | Auburn University | S. B. Jack |
| Jennifer Falkey | Disturbance frequency and changes in plant growth life-form: ecosystem effects on NPP | University of Georgia | R. J. Mitchell |
| Sarah Gallagher | Stress hormone levels and survival rates of translocated wildlife | Utah State University | L. M. Conner |
| Elizabeth Gleim | Tick-borne diseases and interactions with deer herds and prescribed fire | University of Georgia | L. M. Conner |
| Jess Gonyor | Gopher tortoise diseases | University of Georgia | L. L. Smith |
| Brent Howze | A retrospective analysis of the white-tailed deer herd at the Joseph W. Jones Research Center | University of Georgia | L. M. Conner |
| Claire Ike | Land use and soil carbon storage | University of Georgia | L. R. Boring |
| Louise Loudermilk | Linking spatial variation of understory vegetative fuels with silviculture and forest dynamics in the frequent low intensity fire regime of the longleaf pine ecosystem | University of Florida | R. J. Mitchell |
| Glenn Martin | Landscape changes in depressional wetlands | University of Georgia | L. K. Kirkman |
| Julie McEntire | Nutrient sources and cycling in a shallow subtropical reservoir | University of Georgia | S. P. Opsahl |
| Anna McKee | Correlations between community diversity and within-species genetic diversity in an amphibian assemblage: potential processes and implications for conservation management | University of Georgia | L. L. Smith |
| Gail Morris | Effect of supplemental feeding, predator exclusion and prescribed fire on small mammal populations in longleaf pine ecosystem | University of Florida | L. M. Conner |
| Elisabeth “Corrie” Pieterson | Distribution, dynamics and control strategies for Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) | University of Florida | S. B. Jack |
| Kathleen Rugel | Influence of human water use on streamflow characteristics in the lower Flint River, Georgia | University of Georgia | S.W. Golladay |
| Margaret Shearin | Impacts of fire ants on seed dispersal | University of Georgia | L. K. Kirkman |
| Stephen Shivers | Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in Lake Seminole | University of Georgia | S. P. Opsahl |
| David Steen | Associations between upland snake assemblages and longleaf pine forests | Auburn University | L. L. Smith |
| Eva Whitehead | Mosquito use of natural and human disturbed isolated wetlands: implications for human health | University of Georgia | S.W. Golladay |
| Scott Wiggers | Controls of reproduction and recruitment of legumes in the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem | Auburn University | L. K. Kirkman |
| Jenny Wright | The influence of fire regime on carbon cycling in pine grassland savannas of the Southeastern U.S. | University of Edinburgh |
R. J. Mitchell |
Graduate Students Completed Thesis Projects
| Investigator | Thesis Name | School | Jones Center Advisor |
| Robert N. (Rob) Addington | Water Use Patterns and Stomatal Responses to Environment in Longleaf Pine on Contrasting Sites | University of Georgia 2001 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Katherine M. (Kathy) Aleric | Responses to light environments and propagation techniques of the federally endangered shrub, Lindera melissifolia (Lauraceae) | University of Georgia 2004 |
L. K. Kirkman |
| Carla Atkinson | Flow regime effects on basal resources and niche overlap of filtering bivalves in a low-gradient coastal plain stream | University of Georgia 2008 |
S. P. Opsahl |
| Michael A. (Mike) Battaglia | The Influence of Overstory Structure on Understory Light Availability in a Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) Forest | Virginia Tech 2000 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Roger D. Birkhead | The diet of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and its role as a seed disperser in the longleaf pine wiregrass ecosystem | Auburn University 2001 |
W. K. Michener |
| Kristin M. (Kristy) Bliss | Impact of Soil Nutrient Spatial Heterogeneity on Competitive Interactions Among Six Early Successional Species Native to the Gulf Coastal Plain of Georgia | Virginia Tech 2001 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Melissa Dills Boglioli | Burrow Dispersion and Occupancy Patterns as They Relate to Habitat Parameters and Social Behavior in the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) | Auburn University 1999 |
W. K. Michener |
| Jennifer S. (Jen) Borgo | Reducing Southern Flying Squirrel Use of Red-cockaded Woodpecker Cavities | Utah State University 2004 |
L. M. Conner |
| Durwin C. Carter | Carbon-Fine Root Allocation and Transfer at Ecosystem Scales (C-Fates) | State University of West Georgia 2001 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Sarah E. Cathey | Growth and N2 Fixation of Legumes Native to the Longleaf Pine-wiregrass Ecosystem | University of Florida 2005 |
L. R. Boring |
| Erin Condon | The effects of fire on home range, microhabitat use, and survivorship of box turtles (Terrapene Carolina Sp.) in southern Georgia | University of Florida 2005 |
L. L. Smith |
| Michelle Creech | Revegetation potential of slash pile burn sites in longleaf pine savanna | University of Georgia 2009 |
L. K. Kirkman |
| Brandon Daly | The dynamics of fire interactions: simulations of multiple fire lines using FIRETEC with field validation | Florida State University 2008 | R. J. Mitchell |
| Anna Derrick | Effects of mammalian predator removal and prescribed fire on populations of Sigmodon hispidus and Peromyscus gossypinus | University of Georgia 2007 |
L. M. Conner |
| Michael G. (Mike) Entrekin | Storm Flowpaths and Biogeochemistry of a Karst Stream in Southwest Georgia | University of South Carolina 1997 |
E. R. Blood |
| Sally A. Entrekin | Abundance, Biomass, and Secondary Production of Chironomids (Diptera) in Grass-Sedge Marshes and Cypress-Gum Swamps | University of Georgia 2000 |
S. W. Golladay |
| Jeannine Ott Eubanks | Movement patterns associated with reproduction in a natural population of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus): applications to conservation and management | Auburn University 1999 |
W. K. Michener |
| Chelcy R. Ford | Variable Distributions of Water as a Transpiration Source: Consequences from the Tree Stem to Ecosystem Functioning | University of Georgia 2004 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Paula M. (Johnson) Gagnon | Habitat Associations and Drought Responses of Mussels in the Lower Flint River Basin, Southwest Georgia | University of Georgia 2001 |
W. K. Michener |
| Danielle (Temple) Gammons | Gray fox home range and habitat use in southwest Georgia |
Louisiana State University 2006 |
L. M. Conner |
| Danny Gammons | Survival and movements of translocated and resident nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in southwest Georgia | University of Georgia 2006 |
L. M. Conner |
| Ivy A. Godbois | Ecology of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) on Managed Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) Land in South Georgia | University of Georgia 2003 |
L. M. Conner |
| Darroc P. Goolsby | Patterns of landuse and succession in a longleaf pine forest | University of Georgia 2006 |
L. R. Boring |
| Mark J. Hainds | Legume Population Dynamics in a Frequently Burned Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass Ecosystem | Auburn University 1995 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| J. Kevin Hiers | The influence of fire on growth and development of legumes in longleaf pine-wiregrass communities | University of Georgia 1999 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Stephanie N. (Davis) Hiers | Assessing Impacts of Animal Agriculture on Macroinvertebrates in Intermittent Coastal Plain Streams in the Southeastern USA: Implications for Biomonitoring | University of Georgia 2000 |
S. W. Golladay |
| Shannon Hoss | Spatial ecology and male reproductive biology of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus | Auburn University 2007 |
L. L. Smith |
| Gwen Iacona | Seedling recruitment as a factor influencing species richness along a productivity gradient in a longleaf pine ecosystem | University of Florida 2008 |
L. K. Kirkman |
| Elizabeth I. (Beth) Jacqmain-Palik | Controls on Oak Composition and Population Size Structure in Frequently Burned Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass Ecosystems | Auburn University 1996 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Noah Jansen | Fine root decomposition in a longleaf pine forest: influence of root order, litter quality and soil depth | University of Florida 2007 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| David D. Jones | Can Increasing Food Availability Alter Foraging Behavior of Potential Nest Predators? | University of Georgia 2001 |
L. M. Conner |
| Margaret Kearns | Effects of Annual Flow Regime on Redbreast Sunfish and Bluegill Growth in a Southeastern Coastal Plain Stream | University of Georgia 2001 |
S. W. Golladay |
| Jason Keenan | Effects of bobcat (Lynx rufus) removal on spatial distributions and diet of remaining bobcats | University of Georgia 2006 |
L. M. Conner |
| Jordana (Doughty) Kirby | Bobcat (Lynx rufus) ecology in a longleaf pine ecosystem in southwestern Georgia | University of Georgia 2004 |
L. M. Conner |
| Max Lang | Effects of intensive harvest during the quail nesting season on diet, age, and reproduction of meso-mammalian predators | University of Georgia 2008 |
L. M. Conner |
| Anna E. Liner | Wetland predictors of amphibian distributions and diversity within the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain | University of Georgia 2006 |
L. L. Smith |
| Greg Lynch | Effects of removal on spatial organization and habitat use of bobcats | University of Georgia 2005 |
L. M. Conner |
| Katie Martin | Natural regeneration potential of groundcover flora of temporarily flooded karst depressions within the longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem | University of Georgia 2006 |
L. K. Kirkman |
| John P. McGuire | Below-ground responses to above-ground disturbances in a longleaf pine forest | Auburn University 1999 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Adam C. Miles | Bat community structure, foraging activity, And roost site selection in loblolly and longleaf | University of Georgia 2004 |
L. M. Conner |
| Gabe Miller | Home range, habitat selection and refuge use of the Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) in the longleaf pine ecosystem of the southwest Georgia U.S.A. | University of Florida 2008 |
L. L. Smith |
| Tara K. Muenz | Indicators of Stream Health: the Use of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Amphibians in an Agriculturally Impacted Area, Southwest Georgia | University of Georgia 2004 |
S. W. Golladay |
| Maureen K. Mulligan | Wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana Trin. and Rupr.) Recruitment, Establishment and Growth | University of Georgia 2000 |
L. K. Kirkman |
| Matthew A. Neatrour | Factors affecting root system response to nutrient heterogeneity in forested wetland ecosystems | Virginia Tech 2005 |
S. W. Golladay |
| Kelly A. Peeler | Caffeine as an Anthropogenic Tracer | Florida State University 2004 |
S. P. Opsahl |
| Allison E. Reid | Spatial genetic structure of four bobcat populations in the southeastern U.S | University of Georgia 2006 |
L. M. Conner |
| Jessica C. Rutledge | Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Ecology in Relation to Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) Management in Southwest Georgia | University of Georgia 2003 |
L. M. Conner |
| Lindsey Sargent | Predicting invasion success of a lotic crayfish from physicochemical habitat variables and predator-avoidance behavior | University of Georgia 2009 |
S.W. Golladay |
| Brian N. Schoch | Effects of Predator Removal on Diet, Age and Reproduction of Predators | University of Georgia 2003 |
L. M. Conner |
| Samuel M. (Sam) Simkin | Influence of soil disturbance by Pocket Gophers on plant species composition of longleaf pine-wiregrass communities | University of Georgia 1998 |
W. K. Michener |
| Sean Sterrett | The influence of riparian disturbance on aquatic turtles in the Lower Flint River Basin, Georgia | University of Georgia 2009 |
L. L. Smith |
| Glen N. Stevens | Impact of Canopy Gaps on Fine Root Dynamics in Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass Ecosystems | Virginia Tech 2000 |
R. J. Mitchell |
| Theresa M. Harper-Storey | The effects of diversionary feeding on foraging behavior of the raccoon in a longleaf-wiregrass ecosystem | University of Georgia 2001 |
L. M. Conner |
| Katie Stuble | The impacts of Solenopsis invicta on seed dispersal in the longleaf pine ecosystem | University of Georgia | L. K. Kirkman |
| Amanda Subalusky | The role of isolated, seasonal wetlands in the ecology of the American Alligator | Texas A&M University 2007 |
L. L. Smith |
| A. Heather (Norden) Summer | Species biology and the life history of the federally endangered Schwalbea americana L. (Scrophylariaceae) | University of Georgia 2002 |
L. K. Kirkman |
| Ashley (Sexton) Turner | Home range and habitat use of Red-tailed Hawks in southwestern Georgia | University of Georgia 2005 |
L. M. Conner |
| Albert Way | Burned to be wild: science, society and ecological conservation in the southern longleaf pine | University of Georgia 2008 |
R. K. McIntyre |
Incoming Graduate Students
| Name | School | Jones Center Advisor |
Conservation Interns/Apprentices
| Name | Years | Degree | School |
| Stacy (Hurst) Odom | 2001-2002 | B.S. in Biology | Georgia Southwestern State University |
| Brandon T. Rutledge | 2001-2003 | M.S. in Biology | University of Memphis |
| Lynne T. Boyd | 2003-2004 | Dual M.S. in Forestry and Environmental Management | Duke University |
| Cory D. Drennan | 2003-2004 | B.S. in Forest Resources | Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia |
| Rebecca A. (Cantey) Thomas | 2005 | B.S. in Aquaculture, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology | Clemson University |
| Alex V. (Lex) Tyson, Jr. | 2005-2007 | B.S. in Biology | Georgia Southern University |
| David S. Dyson | 2006-2007 | B.S. in Forestry | University of the South |
| Bryant R. Williamson | 2007-present | B.S. in Forest Resources | Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia |
| Cathryn (Cat) Eddins | 2008-present | A.A. in Wildlife Technology | Abraham Baldwin College |