|
|
Faculty and Staff Profiles |
Work Experience
- Research Assistant, Biology - Boston University - 1984-88
- Instructor, Biology - Metropolitan College - 1984-88
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychology - University of California, Berkeley - 1988-91
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychology - Cornell University - 1991-93
- Visiting Scholar, Psychology - Cornell University - 1993-98
- Assistant Professor, Biology - King's College - 1993-95
- Assistant Professor, Biology - The University of Memphis - 1995-200
- Associate Professor, Biology - University of Memphis - 2000-2006
- Professor, Biological Sciencs - University of Memphis - 2006-present
Honors/Awards
- Sigma Xi Travel Award - Boston University - 1987
- Early Career Research Award - The University of Memphis - 1996
- Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award - The University of Memphis - 1998
- College of Arts and Sciences Research Award - Univeristy of Memphis - 2009
- PI Millionaire Club - University of Memphis - 2012
Teaching Experience
- General Biology II Honors (U) - The University of Memphis
- Behavioral Ecology (G) - The University of Memphis
- Undergraduate Research (U) - The University of Memphis
- Animal Cognition (G) - The University of Memphis
- General Endocrinology (U, G) - The University of Memphis
- Graduate Research (G) - The University of Memphis
- Honors Forum (U) - The University of Memphis
- Animal Communication (G) - University of Memphis
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II (U) - University of Memphis
- Animal Behavior/Ethology (U, G) - University of Memphis
- Endocrine Methods (G) - University of Memphis
- Leadership and Teaching Biology (G) - Univeristy of Memphis
Student Advising/Mentoring
- BS - Allen Aven - 2012
- BS - Kristen Stokes - 2005
- BS - Nero Patel - 1999
- MD - Robert Sealand - 2007
- BS - Amy Combs - 2008
- MS - Kim Bartos - 2000
- MD - Evan Sorokin - 1998
- Doctoral - Stuart Leonard - 2002
- Doctoral - Brian Schilling - 2005
- Undergraduate - A. Whatley - 2007
- Undergraduate - A. Tobias - 2007
- Masters - W. Starke - 2005
- Doctoral - A. Pierce - 2006
- Doctoral - M. Knight - 2006
- Doctoral - J. delBarco-Trillo - 2007
- Doctoral - L. Ladage - 2007
- Doctoral - Ashlee Vaughn - 2011
- Doctoral - Nicholas Hobbs - 2012
- Doctoral - Christian Vlautin - 2013
- MD - Jeff Kile - 1995
- DO - Theresa Kelly - 1995
- BS - Porshia Gibbs - 2012
- MD - Evan Sorokin - 1995
- BS - Tim Applebury - 2012
- undergrad - Matt Heatheron - 2014
- BS - Daniel Ferkin - 2013
- BS - Kristen Kohli - 1997
- MD - Tavares Williams - 2006
- BS - Antedra Finger - 2009
- MD - Jerry Gilles - 1999
- DDS - Reza Nadeir - 1999
- MD - Izu Iwueke - 2005
- undergrad - Ben Ferkin - 2014
- undergrad - Adam Ferkin - 2014
- BS - Kyle Fong - 2013
- High School - Mica Che - 2014
- undergrad - Austin Hardaway - 2014
- BS - Roschunda Cherry - 2012
- MD - Dana Obzut - 1996
- BS - Megan O'Connor - 1996
- undergrad - Scott McMullin - 2014
Support
- Funded - National Science Foundation - $96,093 - 1995-97
- Funded - National Science Foundation - $5000 - 1996
- Funded - Assisi Foundation - $48,500 - 1997
- Funded - National Science Foundation - $8,331 - 1998-99
- Funded - National Institutes of Health - $105,000 - 1999-03
- Funded - National Institutes of Health - $640,000 - 2000-06
- Funded - National Science Foundation - $400,000 - 2003-06
- Funded - National Science Foundation - $263,000 - 2005-2010
- Funded - National Institutes of Health - $210,000 - 2006-2011
- Funded - National Science Foundation - $9,899 - 2009-2010
- Funded - Faculty Research Grant - $4000 - 1996-97
- Funded - Faculty Research Grant - $4000 - 1998-99
- Funded - Faculty Research Grant - $4000 - 1999-00
Outreach
- Animal Communication - Boy Scouts of America - 1995- -  
- Animal Behavior - Memphis City Schools - 1995- -  
- Science Fair Judge - Memphis City Schools - 1995 -  
- Honor's Forum Judge - The University of Memphis - 1997- -  
- Giant Panda Project - The Memphis Zoo - 1997-00 -  
- Natural History - Shelby County Schools - 2004- -  
Service
- University - Engaged Scholarship, Animal Care and Use, Van Vleet, Eminent Faculty - 1996-
- University of Memphis - Grad Council - 2003-2011
- University of Memphis - Grad Studies Committee - 1996-2011
- University of Memphis - Strategic Planning Committee - 2011-present
- Journal of Ethology - Advisory Board - 1999-present
- Acta Ethologica - Editorial Board - 2005-present
- Current Zoology - Editorial Board - 2005 present
- Journal of Ethology - Editorial Board - 2000-present
Presentations
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Seamon, 1986. Odor communication in nonbreeding meadow voles. Amer.
Soc. Mammal. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1987. Parental care and kin recognition in meadow voles. Anim. Behav.
Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Seamon, 1987 - Seasonal differences in odor communication in meadow
voles. Amer. Soc. Mammal. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H., Pugh, S. R. & Tamarin, R. H. 1988. Correlates of Reproductive Success
in meadow voles. Amer. Soc. Mammal. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1989. Social behavior in meadow voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1990. Seasonality in voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1992. Sources of sex-specific scent in meadow
voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1993. Gonadal hormone control of sex-specific
scents in meadow voles. Conf. Reproductive
Behav. Soc.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1993. Attractiveness of scent varies with testosterone
concentration in male meadow voles. Amer. Chemoreception Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1994. Co-evolution of scents and responses to them
in voles. Conf. Reproductive Behav.
Soc.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1994. Persistence of attractiveness of odors in
meadow voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1994. Sources of sex-specific scent vary by season
in meadow voles. Amer. Soc. Mammal. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1994. Gonadal hormones mediate odor communication in voles. Conf.
Reproductive Behav. Soc.
- Johnston,
R. & Ferkin, M. H. 1995. Scent-marking behavior in hamsters and
voles. European Ethological Congress, Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1995. Self-grooming as a sexually dimorphic
communicative behavior in voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1996. Protein content of the diet affects the
attractiveness of scent in meadow voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Johnston,
R. E. & Ferkin, M. H. 1996. Scent countermarking in male meadow
voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1997. Scent communication in voles: what a vole nose. Microtine Rodent
Group Tribute to Dr. Lowell Getz.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1997. Perception of over-marks in voles. Anim.
Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. & Johnston, R. E. 1997. Scent-marking behavior in voles. Chem.
Signals in Vertebrates, Mtg.
- Woodward,
R. L., Schmick, M. K. & Ferkin, M. H. 1997. Scent counter-marking in
prairie voles. Chem. Signals in Vertebrates, Mtg.
- Woodward,
R. L. & Ferkin, M. H. 1997. Scent de-valuation hypothesis. Anim.
Behav. Soc. Mtg. Schmick, M. K. &, Woodward, R. L. & Ferkin, M.
H. 1997. Selective memory for odors in prairie voles. Chem. Signals in
Vertebrates, Mtg.
- Leonard,
S. T. & Ferkin, M. H. 1997. Prolactin affects odor preferences in
meadow voles. Chem.Signals in Vertebrates, Mtg.
- Leonard,
S. T. & Ferkin, M. H. 1997. Prolactin affects odor preferences of
long-photoperiod male meadow voles Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Woodward,
R. L. & Ferkin, M. H. 1998. Scent over-marking by same-sex prairie
voles, mate guarding hypothesis. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Leonard,
S. T. and Ferkin, M. H. 1998. Prolactin and testosterone underlie
seasonal differences in odor preferences of male meadow voles. Anim. Behav.
Soc. Mtg.
- Leonard,
S. T. and Ferkin, M. H. 1998. Prolactin and testosterone underlie
seasonal differences in odor preferences of male meadow voles. Soc. Behavioral
Neuroendocrinol. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1998. Scent over-marking and competition between same-sex meadow voles.
Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Leonard,
S. T. and Ferkin, M. H. 1999. Odor donor quality and over-marking in
meadow voles. Soc. Behavioral Neuroendocrinol. Mtg.
- Lee,
D. and Ferkin, M. H. 1999. Female vole reproductive status affects scent
over-marking in voles. Anim. Behav. Soc. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 1999. Scent over-marking in two different species of voles. Soc.
Behavioral Neuroendocrinol. Mtg.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2000. An association exists
between memory for the top-scent donor of an over-mark and mating system in
voles. Chemical Signals in Vertebrates
9, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, 25-30 July.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2000. Species differences in the
response to over-marks may be associated with mating system in two species of voles. Animal Behavior Meetings,
Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, 5-9
August.
- Heath,
L. A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2000. Age-related effects on scent-marking in
meadow voles. Animal Behavior Meetings, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, 5-9 August.
- Lee,
D. & Ferkin, M. H. 2000. Source
of scent marks varies with reproductive state in meadow voles. Animal Behavior Meetings, Morehouse College,
Atlanta, Georgia, 5-9 August.
- Leonard,
S.T. & Ferkin, M. H. 2000. Meadow voles respond preferentially to
the hormonal condition of a scent donor rather than its position in an
over-mark. Animal Behavior Meetings,
Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, 5-9 August.
- Woodward,
R. L. Jr., Bartos, K., & Ferkin, M. H. 2000. Responses of meadow voles and prairie voles
to over-marks from opposite- and same-sex conspecifics. Animal Behavior
Meetings, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, 5-9 August.
- Ferkin, M. H. 2001. High throughput
screens for the social behavior domain. Tennessee Mouse Mutageneis Consortia,
Franklin TN.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2001. Species differences in
self-grooming in meadow voles and prairie voles. Animal Behavior Meetings,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, July
- Leonard,
S.T. & Ferkin, M. H. 2001. Seasonal differences in self-grooming
behavior in meadow voles: effects of short photoperiod.
Animal Behavior Meetings, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, July
- Lee,
D.& Ferkin, M. H. 2001. Scent
over-marking in voles does not vary with reproductive state in meadow voles.
Animal Behavior Meetings, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, July
- Heath,
L. A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2001. Age-related effects on self-grooming in
meadow voles. Animal Behavior Meetings, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR,
July.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2002. Screens for identifying pheno-deviants. Tennessee Mouse Mutageneis
Consortia, Nashville, TN Pierce, A. A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2002.
Condition dependent odor signals do not influence copulatory behavior in meadow
voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings,
Indiana University, July.
- Heath,
L. A., Paz-y-Mino C. G. & Ferkin, M. H. 2002. Self-grooming is
affected by age in meadow voles. Animal Behavior Meetings, Indiana University,
July
- Ferkin,
M. H and S. T. Leonard. 2002. Scent
marking and over-marking in two species of voles: a test of three hypotheses. Animal Behavior Meetings, Indiana
University, July.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2003. Identifying pheno-deviants in the social behavior domain. Tennessee
Mouse Mutageneis Consortia, Nashville, TN
- Pierce,
A. A., Ferkin, M. H. & Patel, N. P. 2003. Protein content of the
diet does not influence proceptive or receptive behavior in female meadow
voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus.
Animal Behavior Meetings, Boise State University, Boise, ID July
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2003. Reproductive status affects scent marking in voles. Chem. Signals
Vertebrates 10, Oregon State University, OR.
- Pierce, A. A., Ferkin,
M. H. & Williams, T. K. 2004.
Food-deprivation-induced changes in sexual behavior of meadow voles, Microtus
pennsylvanicus., Association of the Society of Southeastern Biologist,
University of Memphis
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2004. Pheno-deviants and mutations
found in the social behavior domain. Tennessee Mouse Mutageneis Consortia,
Cookeville TN
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2004. Measuring social and sexual
behavior in transgenic mice. Tennessee Mouse Mutageneis Consortia, Memphis, TN
- Pierce,
A. A., Ferkin, M. H. & Williams, T. K. 2004. Odor attractivity, odor
preference, and sexual receptivity in food-deprived female meadow voles.
19th Zoological Congress in China, Beijing, China.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2004. Self-grooming and scent marking in voles. Association of the
Society of Southeastern Biologist, University of Memphis- Organizer of the Symposia on Social Behavior.
- Ferkin,
M. H. 2004. Scent marking in voles. 19th Zoological Congress in
China, Beijing, China- Organizer of the Symposia on Chemical Communication
- delBarco-Trillo, J. & Ferkin,
M. H. 2004. Male mammals
respond to a risk of sperm competition conveyed by odours of conspecific males.
19th Zoological Congress in China, Beijing, China
- Cherry,
R. P. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005.
Sperm competition in voles. Honor’s Forum. The University of Memphis.
- Iwueke,
I. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005. Food
deprivation affects attractivity in food-deprived voles. Honor’s Forum. The
University of Memphis.
- Iwueke,
I. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005. Food
deprivation affects reproduction in food-deprived voles. National Conference on
Undergraduate Research. New Orleans, LA.
- Combs,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005.
Episodic-like memory in voles. Honor’s Forum. The University of Memphis.
- LaDage,
L & Ferkin, M. H. 2005. Male leopard geckos (Eublepharis
macularius) can discriminate between two familiar females. Animal Behavior
Society Meetings, Snowbird UT
- Pierce,
A. A., Iwueke, I. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005. Estradiol titers, food
deprivation and sexual behavior in meadow voles. Animal Behavior Society
Meetings, Snowbird UT
- del-Barco-Trillo, J. &
Ferkin, M. H. 2005. Male
mammals respond to a risk of sperm competition: tests of multiple hypotheses.
Animal Behavior Society Meetings, Snowbird UT
- Ferkin,
M. H, Pierce, A. A., Sealand, R. O. & delBarco-Trillo, J. 2005. Meadow
voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, can distinguish more over-marks from
fewer over-marks. Animal Behavior Society Meetings, Snowbird UT.
- Cherry,
R. P. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005.
Sperm competition in voles. WIP’s Forum. The University of Memphis.
- Iwueke,
I. & Ferkin, M. H. 2005.
Estradiol titers affects reproductive behaviors in food-deprived voles. WIP’s
Forum. The University of Memphis.
- Iwueke,
I. & Ferkin, M. H. 2006.
Estradiol affects sexual behaviors in food-deprived voles. Honor’s Forum. The
University of Memphis.
- Combs,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2006.
Episodic-like memory in voles. Honor’s Forum. The University of Memphis
- Combs,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2006.
Episodic-like memory in voles. NCUR Meetings, Asheville, NC
- Combs,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2006.
Episodic-like memory in voles. Ecological Society Association Meeting, Memphis.
- Ferkin, M. H. 2006. Voles have the
capacity of for episodic-like memory. Chemical Signals in Vertebrates XI,
Chester, England.
- Hobbs,
N & Ferkin, M. H. 2007. Protein content of the diet affects sexual
behaviors in voles. Honor’s Forum. The University of Memphis.
- Vaughn,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2007. Sperm
competition in voles. Honor’s Forum. The University of Memphis
- LaDage,
L & Ferkin, M. H. 2007. Multiple male mating in leopard geckos (Eublepharis
macularius). Animal Behavior Society Meetings, University of Vermont.
- Hobbs,
N & Ferkin, M. H. 2008. Protein content of the diet affects
self-grooming in voles. American Society of Mammalogists Meeting, Soth Dakota State Univerity.
- Vaughn,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2008. Sperm
competition in voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings, Snowbird UT.
- Hobbs,
N & Ferkin, M. H. 2009. Protein content of the diet affects scent
marking behaviors in voles. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology,
Boston. MA
- Hobbs,
N & Ferkin, M. H. 2010. Sexual behaviors in voles are affected by
diet. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston. MA
- Hobbs,
N & Ferkin, M. H. 2010. Dietary effects on odor cues. Animal Behavior
Society Meetings, College of William and Mary, VA.
- Vaughn,
A. & Ferkin, M. H. 2010. Dietary
constraints on sperm allocation in male voles. Animal Behavior Society
Meetings, College of William and Mary, VA.
- Ferkin, M. H. 2010. Over-marking and
cognition in voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings, College of William and
Mary, VA.
- Vlautin,
C. T. & Ferkin, M. H. 2010.
Affects of short daylengths on the responses of voles to over-marksAnimal
Behavior Society Meetings, College of William and Mary, VA.
- Sabau, R. M. & Ferkin, M. H. 2010. Food restriction of dams affects the
maternal behavior of meadow voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings, College of
William and Mary, VA.
- Vlautin,
C. T. & Ferkin, M. H. 2011. Path
choice and the affect of predation and competition in male and female meadow
voles. Animal Behavior Society Meeting, Bloomington, Indiana.
- Vaughn, A. A. & Ferkin M. H. 2011. Sexual
behavior of voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings
- Vlautin C. T.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2011. Over-marking by short-day voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings
- Hobbs, N. J.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2011. Scent marking and over-marking in food-challenged
voles. Animal Behavior Society Meetings.
- Hobbs, N. J.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2011. Sexual and social behavior of voles under food stress.
Society of Comparative and Integrative Biology meetings.
- Vlautin C. T.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2012. Path choice by voles.
Animal Behavior Society Meetings
- Vlautin C. T.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2012. Path choice by voles.
Ecological Society Meetings
- Hobbs, N. J.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2012. Nutritional status affects behavior of voles. Society
of Comparative and Integrative Biology meetings.
- Hobbs, N. J.
& Ferkin, M. H. 2013. Diet affects scent marking and sexual behavior of voles. Society
of Comparative and Integrative Biology meetings.
- 1988,
University of California, Berkeley - Seasonal behavior in voles.
- 1990,
University of New Hampshire - Photoperiod and seasonality in voles.
- 1991,
North Carolina State University - Social behavior in voles.
- 1991,
Tel Aviv University - Photoperiodism in microtine rodents.
- 1991,
Conference on Reproductive Behavior - Photoperiodically-induced changes in
gonadal hormones affect odor communication in meadow voles. Conference on
Reproductive Behavior, Monterey, CA.
- 1992,
Central Connecticut State University - Seasonality in voles.
- 1993,
Boston University - Odor communication in voles.
- 1994,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst - Behavior and olfaction in voles.
- 1994,
Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA - Social behavior and reproduction.
- 1995,
University of Utah - Psychobiology of microtine behavior.
- 1995,
University of Idaho - Olfaction and social behavior in voles.
- 1995,
University of Memphis, Dept. Psychology - Seasonal breeding in voles.
- 1997,
Breckenridge, CO, Steroid Hormone Conference and Workshop - Olfaction and
gonadal hormones in voles.
- 1997,
Cornell University, Chemical Signals in Vertebrates - Scent marking behavior in
voles.
- 1997,
University of Maryland, Tribute to Lowell Getz - Odor communication in voles.
- 1999,
University of Memphis, Department of Biology - Over-marking in voles.
- 2002,
Beijing University – did not attend
- 2002,
University of Barcelona- did not attend
- 2004,
Association of the Society of Southeastern Biologist, University of Memphis-
Organizer of the Symposium on Social Behavior
- 2004, 19th
Zoological Congress in China, Beijing, China- Organizer of the Symposium on
Olfactory Communication
- 2005,
I was an invited speaker at the Chemical Signals in Vertebrates
conference in Chester, England.
- 2007,
I was an invited speaker at the International Zoological Conference in
Bahia, Brazil
- 2008,
I was an invited speaker in the Animal Cognition- Episodic Memory in
Animals Symposia at the American Psychological Association meeting at Boston,
MA.
- 2009,
I was an invited speaker at the Southeast Psychological Association
meeting at New Orleans, LA.
- 2009,
I was an invited speaker at the Cognitive Science Symposia, Fed Ex
Institute of Technology, at Memphis, TN.
- 2009,
I was an invited speaker at Hendrix College, Conway AR.
- 2010, Keynote
Speaker, Behavior and Cognition in
vole. Central European Meeting on Genes, Gene Expression, and Behaviour, Hruba
Skála, Czech Republic
- 2011, I was
an invited speaker at the Cognitive Science Symposia, Fed Ex Institute of
Technology, at Memphis, TN.
- 2012,
I was an invited speaker in the Animal Cognition- Research on Episodic
Memory in Animals Symposia at the American Psychological Association meeting at
Orlando, FL.
Appendix A - Teaching Experience
- BIOL 7/8019 - Sp Topic Anim Behav
- BIOL 7/8719 - Behavioral Ecology
- BIOL 4000 - Undergrad Research
- BIOL 7/8092 - Grad Research
- BIOL 9000 - Doct Dissert
- BIOL 7/8731 - Animal Communication
- BIOL 4000 - Undergrad Research
- BIOL 7/8092 - Grad Research
- BIOL 9000 - Doct Dissert
- BIOL 4/6630 - General Endocrinology
- BIOL 7/8091 - Hormones and Behavior
- BIOL 4/6604 - Animal Behavior
- BIOL 7/8340 - Behavioral Ecology
- BIOL 4000 - Undergrad Research
- BIOL 4001 - Undergrad Research II
- BIOL 7/8092 - Grad Research
- BIOL 9000 - Doct Dissert
- BIOL 4000 - Undergrad Research
- BIOL 7/8092 - Grad Research
- BIOL 9000 - Doct Dissert
- BIOL 4/6630 - General Endocrinology
- BIOL 7/8345 - Animal Communication
- BIOL 7/8019 - Sp Topics Anim Behav
- BIOL 4/6604 - Animal Behavior
- BIOL 4000 - Undergrad Research
- BIOL 4001 - Undergrad Research II
- BIOL 7/8092 - Grad Research
- BIOL 9000 - Doct Dissert
- BIOL 4000 - Undergrad Research
- BIOL 7/8092 - Grad Research
- BIOL 9000 - Doct Dissert
- BIOL 4/6630 - General Endocrinology
- BIOL 7/8340 - Behavioral Ecology
- BIOL4001 - Undergrad Research II
Appendix B - Student Advising/Mentoring
- Additional
Information on Advising/Mentoring
- I am committed to high quality science training. I
feel strongly that teaching and research are not dichotomous. One of my main
goals as a researcher and teacher is to stimulate students' thinking about the
complexity and elegance of science, particularly the study of animal behavior.
Our doctoral program in the Biology Department at The University of Memphis is
growing, and it is gratifying to be a part of that development. Training
students for research degrees is very satisfying for me. I
have trained several Master’s students and have graduated several doctoral
students. I currently have 2 students working as Ph.D. students in my
lab. All of my doctoral students
regularly present at professional meetings. As graduate students, Pierce and
delBarco-Trillo were invited speakers at the 19th Zoological
Congress in Beijing, China in August 2004. Nearly, all of my PhD students have gone on to postdoc positions. Dr. Vlautin is a research scientist at the large felid facility in Arkansas. Dr. Hobbs is a postdoc fellow and University of Michigan. After completing their postdocs, my former doctoral students took on faculty positions. Dr. Leonard is an assistant professor at William Carey University. Dr. LaDage is an assistant professor at Penn State University at Altoona. Dr. Pierce is lab manager at the Liver Laboratory at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. delBarco-Trillo is an assistant professor at the Natural History and Science Museum at Madrid, Spain. Dr. Brian Schilling, is an assistant professor in the HMSE Department at The
University of Memphis.
Appendix C - Research/Scholarship/Creative Activities
- Research Interests of Dr. Michael H. Ferkin
-
- My research involves the study of animal behavior.
My students and I study the social and sexual behavior of animals from four
different levels of analysis, mechanism, development, function, and
evolutionary history. We have addressed questions regarding the role of
olfactory communication in the expression of social and sexual behavior in
small mammals, such as voles. We have made many important discoveries that have
increased our understanding of the physiology, ontogeny, cognitive functioning,
adaptive significance, and evolution and function of the behaviors that support
social and sexual interactions in terrestrial mammals. My laboratory has been supported primarily
through competitive grants from the National Science Foundation and National
Institutes of Health. To date, I have been awarded nearly $2 million dollars
from these granting agencies. I currently receive support from a NIH grant and
a NSF grant. In this narrative, I provide a summary of my research accomplishments
during my career thus far, and outline the future directions of my research
program.
-
- During my professional career, I have always
been interested in how animals behave.
For the past 15 years at The University of Memphis, my research has
determined aspects of how animals communicate with one another, and how this
affects their subsequent social and sexual interactions. My questions about animal behavior have
addressed both proximate and ultimate levels of analysis. The proximate questions have centered on
physiological and cognitive mechanisms and developmental factors that
contribute to a given animal’s behavior.
The ultimate questions have addressed the functional significance and
the evolution of behavior.
-
- This
approach has served me well. To date, I
have published over 90 peer-reviewed papers, in top-tier journals such as Nature, Animal Behaviour, Hormones and
Behavior, Behaviour, Physiology and Behavior, Ethology, Journal of Comparative
Psychology, Animal Cognition, and
Behavioral Ecology. My recent paper in Nature
received much recognition in the scientific and public arena; several articles
were published in journals and newspapers discussing its findings. Additionally, an article in the June 2005 issue of Animal
Behaviour listed The University of Memphis as one of the top four
universities in North America in publishing papers in core journals of Animal
Behavior. I am pleased to report that my
lab and I contributed the vast majority of the papers from the University of
Memphis taken into account in that review. Thus, my research program makes a
strong contribution to the research environment of The University of Memphis.
- I have also been very active professionally
since joining the faculty at The University of Memphis in 1995. I regularly attend meetings of the Animal
Behavior Society and Chemical Signals in Vertebrates Group. I have been invited
to make presentations at several international meetings and at universities and
colleges. I was an organizer and invited keynote speaker at the 19th
Zoological Congress in Beijing, China in August 2004. In 2005, I was an invited
speaker at the Chemical Signals in Vertebrates conference in Chester, England.
I was also an invited speaker at the International Zoological Conference in
Bahia, Brazil, but could not attend. In
2008, I was an invited speaker in the Animal Cognition- Episodic Memory in
Animals Symposia at the American Psychological Association meeting at Boston,
MA. In addition, I am a regular reviewer for NSF grant proposals and numerous
journals. I am currently on the
editorial board for three journals, Integrative
and Comparative Zoology, Zoological Research, and the Journal of Ethology. Lastly, I have spread “the Gospel of Animal
Behavior” to many civic groups and students at elementary, middle, and high
schools.
-
- I am committed to high quality science
training. I feel strongly that teaching and research are not dichotomous. One
of my main goals as a researcher and teacher is to stimulate students' thinking
about the complexity and elegance of science, particularly the study of animal
behavior. Our doctoral program in the Biology Department at The University of
Memphis is growing, and it is gratifying to be a part of that development. Training students for research degrees is
very satisfying for me. I have trained several
Master’s students and have graduated six doctoral students. One of my doctoral students, Dr. Brian
Schilling, is an assistant professor in the HMSE Department at The University
of Memphis. Three of my other doctoral students, Drs. Javier delBarco-Trillo,
Andrew Pierce and Stuart Leonard, are currently National Institutes of Health
Postdoctoral Fellows at Duke University, University of California, San
Francisco, and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
respectively. Lara LaDage, another of my
doctoral students, is a NSF postdoctoral fellow at the University of Nevada,
Reno. I currently have 4 students working as Ph.D. students in my lab. All of my doctoral students regularly present
at professional meetings. As graduate students, Pierce and delBarco-Trillo were
invited speakers at the 19th Zoological Congress in Beijing, China
in August 2004.
-
- In closing, my research program has provided
me with much joy and a share of success.
I am still excited about “doing science” and “getting people excited
about science.” I believe that my approach to research has helped to bring national and international
recognition to The University of Memphis.
I am especially pleased with the opportunity to enhance the education
and training of postdoctoral students, graduate students, and undergraduate
students. The fellows and students that have performed research under my
supervision have gained valuable hands-on experiences that have strengthened
their transferable skills in critical thinking and writing while being directly
involved in federally funded research projects. They have worked on
interdisciplinary projects, learning the importance of integrating diverse
areas of study and thought. I believe this has led my students and I to make
advances in the field of animal behavior.
-
- In the future, I will continue my research on
the role of olfaction in communication, social behavior, and sexual behavior of
animals specifically by looking at the effects of age, diet and hormonal state
on the interactions among conspecifics. In addition, I will be continuing to
develop studies that link cognitive processing, such as numerousness and
decision making with the risk and intensity of sperm competition and sperm
investment. I will do so, by testing hypotheses that surround sperm
competition, and whose outcomes may involve cognitive processing such as episodic
memory, individual recognition, and judgments of relative numerousness.
Appendix D - Support
- My integrative and interdisciplinary approach
to research has also allowed me to receive nearly continuous funding from 1985
to the present from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National
Science Foundation (NSF). During my 18
years at The University of Memphis, I have been funded continuously by these
federal agencies. Currently, I am the principal investigator on two research
grants and co-principal investigator on an undergraduate education grant. My research grant from the NSF (2005-2010)
examines sperm competition and olfactory communication in small mammals. My
research grant from the NIH, funded by the National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development (2006-2011), examines the effects of food availability on
socio-sexual behaviors in small mammals.
A recently completed education grant from the NSF (2004-2009) was directed
at increasing minority participation in Environmental Biology. To date, I have
been awarded nearly $2 million dollars from NIH and NSF grants to support my
research program at The University of Memphis. I am submitting a grant proposal
to the NSF to investigate the cognitive processes associated with an
individual’s response to sperm competition using a small mammal as the model. I
am also submitting a proposal to the NIH that examines the role of maternal
diet on development of cognitive processes underlying social and sexual
behavior of offspring.
Appendix E - Outreach
- Presented a discussion on animals and nature to cub scouts, troop
359.
- Consulted with general public on numerous occasions on the
behavior of domestic and wild animals.
- Consulted with the general public on several occasions on the
control of rodent pests.
- Consulted with Larry Pickens at Lictherman
Nature Center on establishing a program about monitoring small mammals.
- Presented a talk about animal behavior to first graders at the Oak
Forest Elementary School, Memphis.
- Presented a talk about bats to first and second grade CLUE Class
graders at the Oak Forest Elementary School, Memphis.
- Presented a talk about animal communication to fifth and sixth
graders at the Idlewild Elementary School, Memphis.
- Presented a talk about animal communication to first and fourth
graders at Oak Forest Elementary School, Memphis.
- Consulted with general public on numerous occasions on the
behavior of domestic and wild animals.
- Consulted with the general public on several occasions on the
control of rodent pests.
- Collaborating with Dr. Brady, curator of mammals at the Memphis
Zoo on understanding the behavioral endocrinology of elephants in exhibits.
- Presented a talk about rodents to first and second grade CLUE
Class graders at the Oak Forest Elementary School, Memphis.
- Consulted with general public on numerous occasions on the
behavior of domestic and wild animals.
- Presented a talk about animal communication to fifth and sixth
grade CLUE Class at Oak Forest Elementary School, Memphis.
- Judge at Science Fair at the Oak Forest Elementary School,
Memphis.
- Presented a talk about animal communication to first and fourth
graders at Oak Forest Elementary School, Memphis
- Consulted with general public on numerous occasions on the
behavior of domestic and wild animals.
- Judge at Science Fair at the Oak Forest Elementary School,
Memphis.
- Judge at Science Fair at the Oak Forest Elementary School,
Memphis.
- Consulted with general public on numerous occasions on the
behavior of domestic and wild animals.
- INTERVIEWS ABOUT MY
RESEARCH - Also cross-listed in Appendix C,
Research
- I was phone-interviewed by the weekly newsmagazine of science,
Science News.- An interview and a discussion of my research on self-grooming as
a communicative behavior in voles appeared in the April 20, 1996 issue. Vol.
149, No. 16. The article appears on page 247 of this issue.
- I was phone interviewed by the newsmagazine of the National
Wildlife Foundation, International Wildlife. The interview and a discussion of
my research on self-grooming and communication in voles appears in the spring
1998 issue.
- I was phone interviewed by the newsmagazine, New Scientist. The
interview and a discussion of my research on the effects of protein in the diet
and sexual attractivity of microtine rodents appears in the 5 April 1997 issue.
- I was phone
interviewed by the newsmagazine, The Memphis Flyer. The interview and a
discussion about mammalian pests were published in a January or February
edition.
- Many articles in the popular press in US, Europe, and
Asia on the delBarco-Trillo and Ferkin (2004) Nature paper on sperm competition
|
|
|