Hill Lab Alumni
Post-docs:
Dr. Adrian Surmacki (2010)
Preening as a mechanism for change in plumage coloration in the House Finch
Present Position: Assistant professor, Adam Mickiewi University, Poland
Dr. Robin Vijayan (2008)
Phylogeography of birds of the Southern Ghats, India
Present Position: Faculty, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India
Dr. Herman Mays (2000-2006)
Genetic compatibility and mate choice
Present Position: Curator of vertebrates, Cincinnati Museum of Natural History
Dr. Daniel Mennill (2002-2006)
Vocal communication and avian mating systems
Present Position: Associate Professor, University of Windsor
Dr. Alex Badyaev (1999-2002)
Ecological and evolutionary causes of inter- and intraspecific variation
in sexual dimorphism
Present Position: Professor, University of Arizona
Doctoral Students:
Dissertation title: Understanding Ornamental Carotenoid Metabolism in the House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus).
Present Position: Research Associate
Dissertation title: Evolutionary and physiological processes involved in carotenoid
coloration in animals
Present Position: Post-doctoral researcher, University of Texas-Austin
Dr. Becca (Koch) Adrian (2012-2017)
Dissertation title: Exploring the role of carotenoid pigments in physiological
function and color signals.
Present Position: Research Professor, Monash University, Melbourne,
Australia.
Dr. Molly Staley (2010-2016)
Dissertation title: Mechanisms and evolution of disease resistance in birds
Present Position: Instructer, Loyola University, Chicago
Dr. Chris McClure (2007-2012)
Dissertation title: Challenging assumptions of methods used to monitor and study
birds
Present Position: Director of Global Conservation Science, Peregrine Fund
Dr. Susan Balenger (2006-2011)
Dissertation title: Evolution of infection-induced changes in gene expression in the
House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus
Present Position: Assistant Professor, Univ. Mississippi
Dr. Laura Estep (2008-2011)
Dissertation title: A multi-level analysis of the interactions between vectors, hosts,
and habitats of EEEV
Present Position: Research Associate, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Dr. Mark Liu (2003-2009)
Dissertation title: Genetic compatibility and ornamental color in Eastern Bluebirds
Present Position: Researcher, Taiwan Endemic Species Institute
Dr. John Steffen (2003-2009)
Co-advised with Craig Guyer
Dissertation title: Functionality of carotenoid pigmentation in Anolis lizards
Present Position: Assistant professor, Shepherd University
Dr. Kristy Farmer (2000-2006)
Co-advised with Dr. Sharon Roberts
Dissertation title: Co-evolution of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and a novel host,
the house finch
Present Position: Alabama Dep. Agriculture and Industries, State Diagnostic
Lab, Outreach Coordinator
Dr. Stéphanie Doucet (2002-2006)
Dissertation title: The evolution of sexual ornamentation in long-tailed manakins
Present Position: Associate Professor, University of Windsor
Dr. Kristen Navara (2000-2005)
Co-advised with Dr. Mary Mendonça
Dissertation title: Differential allocation of yolk content in birds: Do females play
favorites?
Present Position: Professor, University of Georgia
Dr. Lynn Siefferman (1999-2005)
Dissertation title: The signal function of structurally-based and pigment-based
sexual ornaments in eastern bluebirds
Present Position: Associate Professor, Appalacian State University
Dr. Matt Shawkey (2001-2005)
Dissertation title: Avian-microbe interactions in relation to sexual selection
Present Position: Professor, University of Gent, Belgium
Dr. Paul Nolan (1996-2002)
Dissertation title: Song and plumage color as multiple ornaments in the house finch
Present Position: Professor, The Citadel
Master's Students:
David Morris (2014)
Thesis Title: Making hypotheses precise: applying the physical method and linear
modeling to evolutionary genomics
Present Position: Doctoral Student in physics
Maria Constantini (2013)
Thesis Title: The effects of color manipulation on provisioning rates in the
Eastern Bluebird
Present Position: Field technician, Hawaii
Alex Halasz (2013)
Non-thesis Master's
Present Position: Veterinary student
Rain Fu (2012)
Thesis Title: The effects of sequential stressors on HSP in the House Finch
Present Position: Doctoral program in pharmacy, Auburn University
Austin Mercadante (2010)
Thesis Title: Status signaling and plumage coloration in the Eastern Bluebird
Present Position: Medical school
Brian Rolek (2009)
Thesis Title: Microhabitat associations of wintering birds in a Southeastern
bottomland forest within the Eastern Gulf Coastal Plain
Present Position: Research Assistant, Archbold Biological Research Station
Dr. Rusty Ligon (2009)
Thesis Title: The function of breast spots and blue coloration in juvenile
bluebirds
Present Postition: Postdoc, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Dr. Bailey McKay (2008)
Thesis Title: Phylogeography of the Yellow-throated Warblers
Present Postition: Postdoc at American Museum Natural History
Dr. Michelle Beck (2003)
Thesis Title: Mate-guarding and paternity in the house finch: interacting effects of
song and plumage color.
Present Postition: Postdoc, Virginia Tech University
Leslie Cole (2002)
Thesis Title: Female aggression in the house finch
Present Position: Law
Anne Dervan (2001)
Thesis Title: The effects of hatch order and sex on nestling growth in the house
finch
Present Postition: High School teacher, Atlanta, GA
Dr. Renée Duckworth (2000)
Thesis Title: The effects of hormone manipulation on parasite resistance and
immune parameters in the house finch
Present Postition: Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
Dr. Barbara Ballentine (2000)
Thesis Title: Song, mate guarding, and mate choice in the Blue Grosbeak
Present Postition: Assistant professor, University of West Georgia
Dr. Andrew Stoehr (1999)
Thesis Title: Testosterone and reproductive trade-offs in the House Finch
Present Postition: Faculty position, Denison University
Dr. Kevin McGraw (1999)
Thesis Title: The significance of male plumage coloration in mediating
reproductive success and social dominance in the House Finch
Present Postition: Professor, Arizona State University
Dr. Amber Keyser (1998)
Thesis Title: Is structural color a reliable signal of quality in Blue Grosbeaks?
Present Postition: Children's book author, Portland, OR
William Brawner (1997)
Thesis Title: The effects of coccidial and mycoplasmal infection on plumage
pigmentation in male House Finches: a test of the Hamilton-Zuk Hypothesis
Present Postition: private DVM practice, Petvet, Auburn, AL
Sheldon Plentovich (1997)
Thesis Title: Habitat use by wintering Henslow's Sparrows in Baldwin Co. AL
Present Postition: Endangered Species Specialist, USFWS
Dr. Marjorie Tobias (1997)
Thesis Title: A test of sensory bias models using tail length in the House Finch
Present Postition: Faculty, Penn State - Beaver Campus, Geneva College