Research Focus
The
•Examining the influences of
anthropogenic stressors on wetland communities,
•Evaluating management and monitoring
techniques for wetland communities,
•Devising conservation and restoration
strategies for wetland ecosystems, and
•Studying the ecology of amphibian
diseases.
Students in the program study all aspects of wetlands,
including hydrogeomorphic processes and resident
communities (periphyton, hydrophytes, aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, fish, waterbirds). Most
studies examine the interaction of humans and wetlands. Anthropogenic influences could be land-use
disturbances or prescribed management and conservation techniques. All studies are structured in a preconceived
experimental design used to test specific scientific hypotheses. All students that Dr. Gray mentors build
skills in the ecological and quantitative sciences. Intensity and dedication are mottos of the UT
Wetlands Program along with light-heartedness, teamwork, and fun. Having a good time while working hard is
important!
If you are interested in pursuing graduate studies in
the
Current Post-doctoral Research Associates
•Dr.
Suzanne O'Regan (NIMBioS post-doc)
Current Graduate Students
•Matthew McClanahan
(MS)
•Josh Osborn (MS)
Current Undergraduate Students
•Carson
Lillard (BS)
•Dr. Roberto Brenes (current employer: Carroll University)
•Liz Burton (current
employer: Tennessee Valley Authority)
•Dr. Katie Edwards (current employer: The Wildlife Society)
•Dr. Julia Earl (current
employer: Okalahoma State University)
•Melissa Foster (current employer:
Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks)
•Dr Zhimei Guo (current employer: Auburn University)
•Nathan Haislip (current employer: Fort Worth Zoo)
•Dr. Kevin Hamed (current employer: Virginia Highlands Community College)
•Dr. Heath
Hagy (current employer: Illinois
Natural History Survey)
•Dr. Jason
Hoverman (current employer:
Purdue University)
•John Laux (current employer: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission)
•Jonathan McCurry (current employer: Breedlove, Dennis & Associates, Inc.)
•Gerry Middleton
(current employer: Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation)
•John Mulhouse (current employer: University
of New Mexico)
•Kira Newcomb (current
employer: Mississippi State University)
•Dr. Doug Osborne (current employer: University of Arkansas-Monticello)
•Chandler Schmutzer
(current
employer: Tri County Technical College,
SC)
•Beth Summers (current employer: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
•Dr. Bill Sutton (current employer: Tennessee State University)
•William Thompson
(current employer: University of
Vermont Medical School)
•Gabe Upchurch (current employer: ESRI – GIS)
•Drew Wirwa (current employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Wetlands Program Acknowledgements
Kevin Hamed. Best Student Presentation Award, Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2014.
Matthew McClanahan. Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2013.
Joshua Osborn. Rehabilitation Corp of Tennessee Scholarship, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2012.
Stephen Nelson. E. N. Duncan Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2012.
Roberto Brenes. Student Research Grant, Society of Wetland Scientists, 2012.
Roberto Brenes. Hazelwood Scholarship, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2011-12.
Roberto Brenes. ESPN-UT Athletics Department Graduate Student Award, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2011-12.
Roberto Brenes. Access and Diversity Fellowship, Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, 2010-12.
Nathan Haislip. Chad Lewis Memorial Award, Tennessee Herpetological Society, 2010.
Nathan Haislip. Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 2010.
Nathan Haislip.
Graduate Student Teaching Award of Merit, North
American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 2010.
Nathan Haislip. Best Student Presentation Award, Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science, 2009.
Kevin Hamed. Virginia Professor of the Year Award, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 2009.
Kevin Hamed. Hazelwood Scholarship, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, 2009 – 2010.
Kevin Hamed. Chancellor Faculty Fellowship, Virginia Community College System, 2009 – 2010.
Jason Hoverman. Best Research Associate Presentation Award, Comparative and Experimental Medicine and Public Health Research Symposium, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, 2009.
Beth Summers. Best Student Presentation Award (2nd Place), Annual Meeting of the Society for Ecological Restoration, 2010.
Beth Summers. Best Student Presentation Award, Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2009.
Melissa Foster. UT Chancellor’s Honors Award: Extraordinary Professional Promise, University of Tennessee, 2009.
Melissa Foster. Best Student Presentation Award, Inaugural Southeastern Natural Resources Graduate Student Symposium, 2008.
Melissa Foster. Participant in Graduate Study-Abroad Program (Costa Rica), Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University, 2008.
Melissa Foster. W. K. McClure Scholarship Recipient, 2008.
Drew Wirwa. Best Student Poster Award, Annual International Conference of The Wildlife Society, 2008.
Drew Wirwa. Best Student Presentation Award, Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2008.
Liz Burton. Participant in Graduate Study-Abroad Program (Costa Rica), Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University, 2006.
Chandler Schmutzer. George T. Weaver Memorial Scholarship Recipient, 2005 – 2007.
Chandler Schmutzer. Jack Wright
Memorial Scholarship Recipient, 2005 – 2006.
Chandler Schmutzer. Rehabilitation Corporation of Tennessee Scholarship Recipient, 2005 – 2006.
Chandler Schmutzer. Participant in Graduate Study-Abroad Program (Costa Rica), Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University, 2006.
Matthew
Gray. Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement, Chancellor’s Office, University of Tennessee, 2012.
Matthew
Gray. T. J. Whatley Distinguished Young
Scientist Award, 2011.
Matthew
Gray. W. S. Overton Faculty
Merit Award, University of Tennessee, 2010.
Matthew
Gray. Teaching Award
of Merit, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, 2010.
Matthew
Gray. Scholar of the
Week, University of Tennessee, 2010.
Matthew
Gray. Gamma Sigma
Delta Excellence in Research Award, University of Tennessee, 2009.
Matthew
Gray. W.F. & Golda
Moss Outstanding Teaching Award, University of Tennessee, 2009.
Laboratory Facilities
Johnson
Animal Research and Teaching Unit Facility (JARTU Aquatics
Laboratory)
Wetlands Laboratory, 203 Ellington Plant Sciences
Building
Center for Wildlife Health BSL-2 Laboratory, Plant
Biotechnology Building
Greenhouse Laboratory, UT Institute of Agriculture
Other Links
The
Center for Wildlife Health
Department of
Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
NRCS National
Easement Assessment Project (NEAP)
