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Curriculum Vitae and Professional Experience of
Caleb R. Hickman

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Education
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• M.S., Biology, Missouri State University (MSU) (August 2002)
  Research: Behavioral Ecology/Herpetology
  Advisor: Dr. Alicia Mathis
  Thesis: "Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats."
  • Selected Graduate Coursework: Behavioral Ecology, Biometry, Evolution of Cooperation, Field Course in Baja Mexico , Game Management, Mammalogy, Marine Conservation, Ornithology, Scientific Writing.
• B.S., Biology, Missouri Valley College (MVC) (May 2000)
  Minor: Recreation Administration
  Research Advisor: Dr. Mark Mills
  Thesis: "Herpetofauna of Van Meter State Park."
  • Selected Undergraduate Coursework: Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Behavior, Ecology , Entomology, Genetics, Herpetology , Independent Study in Herpetology for Undergraduate Thesis, Invertebrate Zoology, Meteorology, Microbiology, Plant Taxonomy , Principles of Biology, Soils, Wildlife Ecology.

Proficiencies
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• Laboratory: aseptic laboratory techniques (genetics, microbiology), DNA and RNA extraction techniques, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), genotyping using ABI 3130 automated sequencer.
• Field: netting/trapping (inverts, fishes, large and small mammals, reptiles and amphibians), marking techniques (reptiles, amphibians and rodents), electro shocking (fishes), radio telemetry (deer, bats, snakes), and mist netting (bats, birds).
• Research methods: experimental design, data collection, data entry, QA-QC, database management, statistical analysis, literature research, general environmental and ecological assessment and analysis techniques, molecular analysis techniques, habitat characterization, preservation skills (plants, inverts, fishes, reptiles, amphibains and small mammals).
• Taxonomy: plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
• Interpretation and management: Developed interpretive camps, presentation of natural history and personal research to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. Minor of Recreation Administration covered many facets of management and interpretation to public audiences.
• Computer: Minitab, SigmaPlot, GeneMapper, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Wiki, MS Word, Power Point, Excel, ArcGIS and GPS.

Professional Experience
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• Research Professional I. Aug. 2006 - Present.
  Applied Ecological Genetics and Herpetology Division of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) - University of Georgia.
  • Isolation and optimization of microsatellite loci for various taxa.
  • Alligator mississippiensis field collection and laboratory processing for genetic and population research.
  • Support of SREL herpetology field projects, science and outreach.
  • Maintenance of Anolis carolinensis colony for genetics research.
  • Anolis carolinensis tissue preparation for genetic and cell culturing experiments.
    Supervisors: Dr. Travis Glenn, Dr. Whit Gibbons and Judy Greene

• Researcher. June 2006 – Present. Characterizing the nature of the LTER network.
  • Organize, extrapolate and analyze authorship data for a social experiment to determine the collaborative changes in the LTER network over time.
    Collaborators: Dr. Bob Christian (VCR-LTER), Dr. Jeff Johnson (East Carolina Univ.), Dr. Robert Waide (LTER Network Office PI), and James Brunt (LTER-Network Office).

• LTER Scientific Research Administrator. Nov. 2004 - Aug. 2006 (full-time position). NSF funded Planning Grant for developing a coordinated effort to produce ideas of long term and integrated science that span various ecological systems.
  LTER, UNM, Biology Department, Albuquerque, NM .
  • Organized meeting logistics and assisted scientists from various backgrounds (biogeochemistry, climatology, ecology, anthropology, economics, education, cyberinfrastructure).
  • Developed disseminating and collaborative sources (wiki web page and articles compiling the Planning Grant's progress).
  • Participated as a member of a “Biotic Structure” working group.
    Supervisor: Dr. Scott Collins

• Researcher. June 2003 – Present. Abundance and ecosystem allocation of snakes at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
  UNM Biology Department, Albuquerque NM.
  • Collected data on snake populations across a driving transect that traverses two habitat types.
  • Analyzing museum and other locality data.
  • Determine factors that influence abundance of snakes across the landscape.
    Collaborators: Dr. Steven Poe (UNM Biology) and Tom Giermokouski ( UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology-Herpetology Division).

• Field Technician. Feb. 2003 – Aug. 2004 (part-time). Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (L.T.E.R) and surrounding areas. New Mexico State University and U.S.D.A.
  New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
  • Experimental set-up and data collection for soil and vegetation studies.
  • Performed infiltration experiments and collected soil core samples.
  • Set up experiments and collected plant data to determine the use of goats as a remover for the invasive Salt Cedar in the Bosque waterway.
    Supervisors: Dr. Sandy Tartowski and Jennifer Johnson

• Field Research Associate. Sept. 2002 – Nov. 2004 (full-time position). Sevilleta L.T.E.R is a National Science Foundation (N.S.F) funded program located on Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.
  Sevilleta L.T.E.R, UNM Biology Department, Albuquerque, NM .
  • Data collection, entry and QA/QC for several (10+) long-term ecological research projects.
  • Collected phenology and net primary production of plants.
  • Collected population data of small mammals.
  • Managed a digital photographic library to catalogue research, scenery and organisms that occur on Sevilleta (see Gallery: http://sev.lternet.edu/ ).
    Supervisor: Dr. Scott Collins

• Research Assistantship. May – Aug. 2002. MSU Bull Shoals Field Station.
  Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO.
  • Maintained field station house and land.
  • Helped create informative trails and a study pond.
  • Participated in educational nature programs for all ages.
  • Assisted in various flora and fauna surveys.
    Supervisor: Dr. Janice Schnake-Green

• Curatorial Intern. Jan. 2001 – Jan. 2002. MSU. Graduate Assistant.
  Department of Biology, Missouri State University , Springfield MO.
  • Identified, cataloged and maintained/organized aquatic and terrestrial insect collections.
    Supervisor: Dr. Alicia Mathis

• Volunteer. Aug. 2000 – Aug. 2002. Graduate Student and Faculty Research at MSU.
  Department of Biology, Missouri State University , Springfield MO.
  • Indiana bat (Federally Endangered) surveys, northern Missouri; fish surveys in Bull Creek, southwestern Missouri; collections and surveys of various lizards , turtles, snakes (venomous and non-venomous), salamanders and frogs . Surveyed for hellbender salamanders in MO, AR, MS, NC and GA.
    Supervisor: Dr. Alicia Mathis

• Naturalist. May 1999 – Feb. 2000. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Van Meter State Park, Miami, MO.
  • Conducted presentations and guided hikes about nature and history to the public and school groups.
  • Designed and directed environmental camps for children ages 8-12.
  • Participated in a prescribed burn of a marsh and wetland area for restoration purposes.
  • Surveyed marsh plants and snails.
  • Undergraduate thesis on reptile and amphibians of the park.
    Supervisors: Cynthia Stevens and Dr. Mark Mills

Teaching Experience
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• Teaching Assistant, Fall 2000 - Spring 2002, MSU
  • General Biology II Lab (majors): Spring 2002.
  • General Biology I Lab (majors): Fall 2001.
  • General Biology Lab (non-majors): Fall 2000-Spring 2001.
• Teaching Assistant: Fall 1997 - Spring 1998, MVC.
  • General Chemistry Laboratory

Published Manuscripts
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Hickman, C. R., M. D. Stone, and A. Mathis. 2004. Priority use of chemical over visual cues for detection of predators by graybelly salamanders, Eurycea multiplicata griseogaster. Herpetelogica 60:203-210.

Mathis, A., K. L. Murray, and C. R. Hickman. 2003. Do experience and body size play a role in responses of larval ringed salamanders, Ambystoma annulatum, to predator kairomones? Laboratory and field assays. Ethology 109:159-170.

Other Publications and Reports
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Gibbons, J. W., J. L. Greene, K. M. Andrews and C. R. Hickman. 2007. Wildlife highway crossing study: Investigation of the use of highway culverts by wildlife- Pre-construction phase (highway widening). Report to U.S. Geological Survey.

Hickman, C. R. 2005. LTER planning activities gain steam . LTER Network News 18(2).

Hickman, C. R . 2004. LTER Planning Grant wiki web page for interactive collaborations. University of New Mexico, Long Term Ecological Research Network Office. http://intranet.lternet.edu/planning/index.php?title=Main_Page

Hickman, C. R. and S. Poe. 2003. Snakes of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico . Report to Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.

Hickman, C. R. 2002. Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats. Jaeger Travel Award, Herpetologists' League. The Newsletter of the Herpetologists' League 9(2).

Manuscripts in Preparation
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Hickman, C. R., and A. Mathis. Detection and distinction of predator kairomones by a terrestrial salamander ( Plethodon serratus ) in the field.

Hickman, C. R., Intraspecific combat over prey in the species Nerodia sipedon . How a field observation relates to theory.

Hickman, C. R., TBA (multiple potential authors and notes) . Primer Notes.

Johnson, J., J. Brunt, C. Hickman , R. Waide, & R. Christian. LTER network analysis. How collaborations have changed since the creation of the Long Term Ecological Research programs.

Selected Presentations
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Hickman, C. R. 2006. Inventory and monitoring of snakes in the southwest U.S. Inventory and Monitoring techniques course for federal agencies. Herpetology Division of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. South Carolina.

Hickman, C. R. 2006. Field behavioral experiments on salamanders. Invited Speaker. Texas State University. San Marcos, TX .

Hickman, C. R. and S. Poe. 2004. A preliminary report on the effect of habitat on snake abundance. Poster presentation at the annual Joint Ichthyologists' and Herpetologists' meeting. Norman, OK.

Hickman, C. R. 2004. Life after Valley: Studies and stories from a survivor. Invited Speaker. MVC, Marshall, MO.

Hickman, C. R. 2003. Introduction to the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Long Term Ecological Research. Field presentation for students and professors for summer desert ecology courses. Sevilleta NWR, NM .

Hickman, C. R. 2002. Response of salamanders to chemical stimuli from predators in natural habitats. Herp. League Jaeger Competition. Joint meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Kansas City, MO.

Hickman, C. R. and A. Mathis. 2002. Escaping the jaws of death: Antipredator decisions in nature. Interdisciplinary Forum, MSU, Springfield, MO.

Hickman, C. R. and A. Mathis. 2001. The effect of predation risk on aggressive behavior of the graybelly salamander, Eurycea multiplicata . Interdisciplinary Forum, MSU, Springfield, MO.

Mills, M.S., C. R. Hickman, and W. Hiler. 2001. Snails, snakes, and students: Herpetological research at Van Meter State Park. Missouri Herpetological Association. Steeleville, MO.

Honors and Awards
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• Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2003 (MSU).
• Jaeger Travel Award, Herpetologists' League ($200), 2002. Summary published in The Newsletter of the Herpetologists' League ( Sep. 2002, Vol. 9, Num. 2).
• Topping Summer Research Fellowship Grant (~$1500), 2001 (MSU).
• Graduate College Research Grant ($500), 2000 (MSU).
• Biology Department Research Grant ($500), 2000 (MSU).
• Dr. Reed Kepner Biology Award, 2000 (MVC).
• Dean's List (MVC).
• NAIA National Wrestling Qualifier (MVC).
• Athletic Grant/Scholarship, 1996-2000 (MVC).

Activities
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• Field Chaperone for Visiting University Ecology and Herpetology Courses at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (2006-Present).
• Judge for Student Presentation Competition (Buell Award), Ecological Society of America . Montreal Canada (2005).
• Volunteer science booth presenter for UNM Biology at the Tricentennial Celebration (2005).
• Volunteer science booth presenter for UNM at the New Mexico State Fair (2004).
• Science Fair Judge in Albuquerque , New Mexico for junior high behavioral experiments/observations (Spring 2003, Spring 2006).
• Science Fair Judge at the Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair for behavioral experiments/observations (Spring 2002).
• Graduate Student member for Faculty Selection Committee (MSU 2002).
• Reviewer for Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology .
• Herpetologists' League
• Partnership for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
• Cherokee Nation, active member.

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