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Ria Tsaliagos

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Drawer E
Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: 803.725.5873
e-mail: tsaliagos@srel.edu

Updated: June 2001

ACADEMIC HISTORY

B.S. - Northern Illinois University – 1999 (Biological Sciences)

M.S. – University of Georgia– In progress, Institute of Ecology (Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development program)

  • UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT:
    Independent Study-Researched the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Project director Dr. Bethia King).  Maintained stocks of wasps.  Experimented and recorded data on behavior.  Applied Mann-Whitney statistical analysis to data and reported results.

  • GRADUATE THESIS PROJECT:
    Investigating indeterminate growth in reptiles, specifically of freshwater turtles.

AWARDS/ACTIVITIES:

  • Recipient of NIU Outstanding Scholar Award (scholarship)

  • Member, Phi Sigma, Biological Honors Society

  • Member, Committee for the Preservation of Wildlife

  • Member, Residence Hall Quality of Life Board

  • Member, NIU Dance Team

  • Member, Gopher Tortoise Council

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

1994-1998, Data Processor, Lockport School District 92, Lockport, IL

  • Converted outdated literature organization program to ISBN system

  • Compiled student medical profiles

1999-2000, Research Fellowship Position, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL

  • Conducted experiments

  • Reported results

  • Operated Scanning Electron Microscope

2001, Research/Teaching Assistantship, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

  • Assistant to Dr. J. Whitfield Gibbons in Herpetology course

2000-present, Graduate Student Researcher, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken, SC

  • Assist in field work

  • Conduct various experiments

  • Attend professional meetings

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

            My research interests are mainly in the field of herpetology.  I am particularly interested in turtles and snakes.  I have had the opportunity to work with many different species of herps while at the University of Georgia and the Savannah River Ecology Lab.  Specifically, I have conducted experiments/surveys that have involved yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta), gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), and southern hognose snakes (Heterodon simus).  Upon completion of my graduate degree, I would like to become more involved in the education and outreach aspects of herpetology, mainly for children with special needs.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Cruse, T.A.; Polzin, B.J.; Picciolo, J.J.; Singh, D.; Tsaliagos, R.N.; Goretta, K.C.  2000. Alumina composites for oxide/oxide fibrous monoliths.  24th Annual Cocoa Beach Conference; Cocoa Beach, Florida; January 23-28, 2000 ANL/ET/CP-99670

  • Polzin, B.J.; Cruse, T.A.; Singh, D.; Picciolo, J.J.; Tsaliagos, R.N.; Phelan, P.J.; Goretta, K.C.  2000.  Development of fibrous monoliths from mullite, alumina, and zirconia powders.  102ndAnnual Meeting of the American Ceramic Society; St. Louis, MO; April 30-May 3 2000 ANL/ET/CP-100561

  • Young, C.A.; Clark, E.E.; Tsaliagos, R.N. Sandy Creek Nature Preserve, Clarke County, GA Herpetological Survey (In prep)

  • Clark, E.E.; Tsaliagos, R.N.; Pittman, B.  Gopherus polyphemus Range Extension.  Herp Review (Submitted)

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