R. Given Harper
R. Given Harper, Ph.D.George C. and Ella Beach Lewis Endowed Chair of Biology Department of Biology |
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Membership in Professional Organizations
Courses Regularly Taught
Bio. 102 General Biology (Spring semester annually), Enst. 120 Ecological and Environmental Problems (Spring semester annually), Bio. 217 Introduction to Ecology (Fall semester annually), Bio./Enst. 218 Field Ornithology (alternate May Terms), Bio. 327 Advanced Ecology (alternate Spring semesters), Bio./Enst. 350 Tropical Ecology: Costa Rica (alternate May Terms), Bio./Enst. 375 Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology (Fall semester, 2012), Bio. 499 Research (annually).
Research Interests
My research interests are centered on various aspects of avian ecology and wildlife toxicology. Some of my recent toxicology projects included documenting heavy metal contaminants in North American gray wolves (Canis lupus) and documenting organochlorine (e.g., DDT) pesticide contaminants in dickcissels (Spiza americana). I am currently working on collaborative projects investigating the porosity of eggshells of the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) in relation to incubation periods and brood hatching patterns. The eggs of the brood parasitic cowbirds often hatch earlier than those of their hosts, which increases the survival of their offspring at the expense of host offspring. We are investigating eggshell porosity as a possible mechanism by which hatching asynchrony may occur. In addition, we are investigating eggshell porosity and hatching asynchrony in house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). Since coming to Illinois Wesleyan I have involved students in all of my research projects and we have published 12 student-coauthored papers in refereed, scientific journals.
View R. Given Harper's Scholarly Works
Publications
Papers Presented at Professional Meetings
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Preparing to hike up to the Cacao field station in |
Bio. 217 students seining fish. |