R. Given Harper, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology


Department of Biology
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900


Phone: (309) 556-3056
Fax: (309) 556-3864
E-mail: gharper@iwu.edu



Departmental Website:
www.iwu.edu/biology/faculty/harper.shtml

Dr. R. Given Harper holding a young peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) banded at the Evanston, IL Public Library
Dr. R. Given Harper holding a young peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) banded at the Evanston, IL Public Library.

Membership in Professional Organizations

American Association for the Advancement of Science Cooper Ornithological Society
Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences National Center for Science Education
American Association of University Professors Phi Kappa Phi
Beta Beta Beta (National Biology Honor Society) Raptor Research Foundation


Courses Regularly Taught

Bio. 101 General Biology (Ecology section of the course- Fall 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./Enst. 321 Conservation Biology (Spring or Fall semester), Bio. 327 Advanced Ecology (Spring semester every other year), Bio./Enst. 350  Tropical Ecology: Costa Rica (alternate May Terms), Bio. 499 Research (annually).


Research Interests

My research interests are centered on various aspects of avian ecology and wildlife toxicology.  Some of my recent/ongoing projects include documenting organochlorine (OC)  (e.g., DDT) and heavy metal contaminants in North American gray wolves (Canis lupus), and determining the effects of  OC contaminants on dickcissel (Spiza americana) eggshell thickness and coloration.  I am also working on a collaborative project investigating the porosity of brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) eggshells  in relation to incubation periods.  Finally, I am working on a collaborative project documenting Illinois wintering raptor populations in Illinois and estimating breeding populations of red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in Illinois.  Since coming to Illinois Wesleyan I have involved students in all of my research projects, and we have published 11 papers in refereed, scientific journals.


View R. Given Harper's Scholarly Works

Publications
Papers Presented at Professional Meetings


Preparing to hike up to the Cacao field station in
Costa Rica.

Bio. 217 students seining fish.