EDUCATION

M.S., Ecology (2005)
University of Georgia , Athens
Thesis: “Habitat Selection and Movement Patterns of Adult Amphibians in Altered Forest Habitats” Advisors: J. Whitfield Gibbons (Chair), Betsie B. Rothermel, C. Ronald Carroll, Mary C. Freeman

B.S., Biology, Ecology concentration; Minor: Environmental Studies (1999)
University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill

Murdoch University , Perth , Australia (1998)
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Study Abroad Program

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Undergraduate coursework:

Ecology, Population Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Human Ecology, Vertebrate Field Zoology, Conservation Biology, Conservation & Sustainable Development, Biological Oceanography, Environmental Science, Environment & Society, Environmental Management & Policy, Calculus, Statistics, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics

Graduate coursework:

Population Ecology, Stream Ecology, Watershed Conservation, Environmental Law Practicum, Limnology, Herpetology, Ecological Statistics, Global Climate Change

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant, University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken , SC. August 2003-present.
Performed research for LEAP (Land-use Effects on Amphibian Populations; funded by NSF). Designed and implemented amphibian movement studies; conducted statistical analyses, created graphs and tables, summarized findings, and supervised undergraduate students. Organized a 5-day workshop on Amphibian and Reptile Inventory and Monitoring techniques for USFS biologists.

Research Technician, USDA-FS Southern Research Station, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Asheville , NC . November 2001-August 2003.
Identified, measured, and marked individual herpetofauna for a forest management study. Performed monthly plot surveys of fruiting herbaceous plants. Checked small mammal traps daily; identified species, measured length and weight, and tagged for population monitoring.

Salamander Research Volunteer, NC-State University . Summer 2002.
Assisted a NCSU graduate student with amphibian research in the Pisgah National Forest . Captured, identified, measured, and weighed the salamander species; recorded related data.

Research Technician Volunteer, University of NC – Chapel Hill . 1997-1999.
Captured, measured, identified, and recorded data on salamanders. Collected and identified aquatic invertebrates in stream samples and participated in avian studies.

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Teacher, Sylvan Learning Center and Technology Center . November 2001-April 2002
Instructed students in grades K-12 in Reading , Writing, Math, Science, and Study Skills. Facilitated and graded student assessment tests. Managed Official Testing Center for adult computer based exams.

Science Teacher, Little Beaver Summer Camp, 2001.
Developed lesson plans and taught experiential science courses to students ages 3-12 in a 9-week program. Gathered and prepared teaching materials daily and organized educational field trips.

Science Educator, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 2000.
Taught experiential science courses to students in grades 1-8 in one-week programs. Prepared lesson plans and organized program events daily. Served as trip leader of 6-day summer science adventure trips for 30+ students per trip.

Wilderness Trip Leader, Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, 1999.
Led 1-3 week backpacking trips with youth ages 9-17 and provided specialized programs to private groups. Instructed backpacking, teambuilding activities, rock climbing, mountain biking, map & compass skills, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, caving and environmental education.

PUBLICATIONS

Graeter, G. J., and B. B. Rothermel. In preparation. Fluorescent powdered pigments as an effective technique for tracking amphibians.

Graeter, G. J., B. B. Rothermel, and J. W. Gibbons. In preparation. Movement patterns and habitat selection of three amphibian species ( Ambystoma opacum, Rana sphenocephala, Bufo terrestris ) in altered forest habitats of the Upper Coastal Plain in South Carolina .

Graeter, G. J. In preparation. Habitat use and movement patterns of adult southern toads ( Bufo terrestris ) in altered forests: insights from a radio-telemetry study.

Graeter, G. J. and J. W. Gibbons. In press. Green anole, Anolis carolinensis . J. Jensen, C. D. Camp, J. W. Gibbons, and M. Elliott, editors. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia . University of Georgia Press .

Graeter, G. J. Squirrel treefrog, In press. Hyla squirella . J. Jensen, C. D. Camp, J. W. Gibbons, and M. Elliott, editors. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia . University of Georgia Press .

Metts, B. S., B. B. Rothermel, B. D. Todd, and G. J. Graeter. In preparation. Behavioral responses of emigrating juvenile salamanders to forest removal.

PRESENTATIONS

Savannah River Ecology Lab Graduate Student Symposium , Aiken , SC , July 2004 – Movement patterns of adult pond-breeding amphibians within an altered habitat.

University of Georgia Institute of Ecology Graduate Student Symposium , Athens , GA , January 2005 – Preliminary results on the habitat selection and movement patterns of southern leopard frogs ( Rana sphenocephala ) in altered forest habitats.

Association of Southeastern Biologists , Florence , AL , April 2005 – Habitat selection and movement patterns of southern leopard frogs ( Rana sphenocephala ) in altered forest habitats.

Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists , Tampa , FL , July 2005 – Habitat selection and movement patterns of marbled salamanders ( Ambystoma opacum ) and southern leopard frogs ( Rana sphenocephala ) in altered forest habitats.

Savannah River Ecology Lab Graduate Student Symposium , Aiken , SC , July 2005 – Habitat selection and movement patterns of marbled salamanders ( Ambystoma opacum ) and southern leopard frogs ( Rana sphenocephala ) in altered forest habitats.

HONORS, AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

Member of Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
Member of Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB)
Travel Award for the 2005 Annual Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) meeting
Golden Key Honor Society
Dean's List 5 semesters at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

JOURNAL REFEREE

Canadian Journal of Zoology
Herpetological Review
Journal of Herpetology

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Proficient at Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ArcView 3.x, ArcGIS 9, SAS, and the Spatial Analyst and Animal Movement extensions. Skilled at navigating using a map, compass, and GPS unit. Excellent communication and writing skills. Meticulous with data collection and laboratory work.

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