Curriculum Vitae
Nathan Byer
Born August 10, 1990. U.S. Citizen.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada – Reno
Reno, NV 89557
email: [email protected]
phone: 443-453-8590
CURRENT POSITION
Postdoctoral Scholar
Matocq, Heaton, and Nussear Labs
University of Nevada – Reno
Reno, Nevada 89501
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON, Madison, Wisconsin
Doctor of Philosophy in Wildlife Ecology, December 2019
Advisor: Dr. M. Z. Peery
TOWSON UNIVERSITY, Towson, Maryland
Master of Science in Biology, May 2015
Advisor: Dr. R. A. Seigel
TOWSON UNIVERSITY, Towson, Maryland
Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors, May 2012
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Research Assistant 9/2015-12/2019 Madison, WI
· Track Blanding’s Turtles to nesting areas to investigate life history tradeoffs
· Model impacts of climate and land use change for the Blanding’s Turtle using a spatially-explicit, individual-based population model in HexSim
· Design and optimize novel primers for climate-associated genes in Wisconsin turtle species
· Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing to investigate adaptive genetic variation
· Work schedule: 40-50 hours/week, Monday-Friday
Towson University/United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Research Assistant 5/2013-11/2013 Towson, MD
· Tracked federally threatened female Bog Turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) to determine nest locations
· Monitored located nests for signs of predation and hatchling emergence
· Determined success rates of nests
· Measured habitat variables to determine criteria for nest site selection
· Managed mark-recapture, telemetry, and habitat selection databases
· Work schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
Towson University
Teaching Assistant 2/2013-5/2015 Towson, MD
· Taught lab sections for selected courses
· Graded lab reports and presentations
· Assisted students with course material
· Spring, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 assignment: BIOL 201 –Cells and Genetics
· Fall 2014 assignment: BIOL 120 – Introductory Biology for Non-Majors
· Work schedule: 20 hours/week; three days per week (variable)
Towson University Herpetology Lab
Field Technician 4/2012-11/2012 Port Deposit, MD
· Assessed the recruitment of hatchling Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica) into the Susquehanna River Map Turtle population as a whole
· Marked and released hatchling Map Turtles using Visible Implant Elastomer
· Monitored Port Deposit and Octoraro Creek for nesting individuals
· Utilized kayaks and basking traps to capture, mark, and release turtles
· Educated Port Deposit residents and visitors about the Northern Map Turtle
· 30 hours/week; variable shifts
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Herpetology Intern 1/2012-2/2012 Baltimore, MD
· Cooperated with Tropical Rainforest exhibit staff to maintain exhibits
· Cleaned and monitored all rainforest animal displays, with an emphasis on amphibians
· Conducted an independent project to determine Snout Vent Length using photo analysis tools
· 10 hours/week; Saturday and Sunday
Anita C. Leight Estuary Center/CBNERR
Research Intern 7/2011-12/2011 Abingdon, MD
Research Assistant 1/2011-6/2011 Towson, MD
· Performed research on Cocoa plant germplasm samples under the guidance of Dr. Roland Roberts
· Conducted Polymerase Chain Reaction experiments to amplify microsatellite DNA loci
· Participated in writing process for drafts of project paper
· 10 hours/week; variable shifts
Towson University Herpetology Lab
Field Technician 4/2010-11/2010 Towson, MD
· Tracked Eastern Box Turtles using radio telemetry in Rockville, MD
· Surveyed East Branch Stream Valley Park for amphibian and reptile diseases
· Maintained data sheets and assisted in data entry.
· Marked location of Box Turtles using GPS technology
· 30 hours/week; variable shifts
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Stream Waders Volunteer 2/2010-4/2010 Westminster, MD
· Collected stream macroinvertebrate samples for large-scale stream survey
· Requested homeowner permission to access streams on private land
· 5 hours/week; weekends
FUNDING AWARDS
2019 SSAR Hutchinson Student Poster Award – Conservation ($250)
2019 American Turtle Observatory Grant ($805)
2019 University of Wisconsin – Madison Conference Travel Grant ($1200)
2016-2018 University of Wisconsin – Madison Travel Awards ($500 each)
2016 Experiment.com crowdfunding campaign ($3900)
2015-2019 UW-Madison Graduate Research Assistantship ($22000/year; PI: M. Z. Peery)
2014 Towson University Graduate Student Travel Award ($490)
2014-2015 Towson University Research Assistantship ($4000/summer; PI: R. A. Seigel)
2013-2015 Towson University Teaching Assistantship ($8000/year)
2012 Towson University Undergraduate Research Award ($249)
2012 Towson University Fisher College Research Award ($249)
2008-2012 Towson University Honor’s College Scholarship ($3000/year)
2008-2012 Towson University Provost Scholarship ($6000/year)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant: Extinction of Species, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Fall 2019
Guest Lecturer: Extinction of Species, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Fall 2018, 2019
Test Writer and Proctor: Science Olympiad (Herpetology), Spring 2018
Teaching Assistant: Herpetology, Towson University, Spring 2013, Spring 2015
Teaching Assistant: Biology for Non-Majors, Towson University, Fall 2014
Teaching Assistant: Cell Biology, Towson University, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
Mentored Students: Rachell Verkhovykh (2019-2020), Elizabeth Hucker (2017-2020), Kristen Miller (2017-2018), Jacqueline Millonzi (2017)
PUBLICATIONS
In prep.
Macey, Suzanne A., Nathan W. Byer, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Scott A. Smith, Richard A. Seigel, and J. Alan Clark. Utilizing machine learning approaches to evaluate nest selection models in a sensitive turtle species.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, M. Z. Peery. Should I stay or should I go? An individual-based model that explores interactions between risk, habitat stability, and site fidelity.
Hucker, Elizabeth, Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. Patterns of thermal selection depend on nesting stage in the Blanding’s Turtle.
In revision
Byer, Nathan W., Matthew Holding, Miranda M. Crowell, Todd W. Pierson, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Thomas E. Dilts, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Adaptive divergence despite low effective population size in a peripherally isolated population of the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. Molecular Ecology.
Byer, Nathan W., Thomas E. Dilts, Eveline S. Larrucea, Miranda M. Crowell, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Peter J. Weisberg, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Historical and contemporary landscape effects on genetic connectivity in the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Landscape Ecology.
Byer, Nathan W., Emily D. Fountain, Brendan N. Reid, Kristen Miller, Paige J. Kulzer, and M. Z. Peery. Land use and life history constrain adaptive genetic variation and reduce the capacity for climate change adaptation in turtles. BMC Genomics.
2020
Bougie, Tiffany, Nathan W. Byer, Carly Lapin, M. Z. Peery, James Woodford, and Jonathan N. Pauli. Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) nest protection reduces predation and increases success, but annual variation influences its effectiveness. Canadian Journal of Zoology 98 (11):715-724.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard P. Thiel, and M. Z. Peery. Long-term nest monitoring for Blanding’s Turtles indicates strong climate associations but no temporal trends in nesting phenology. Herpetologica 76 (4):396-402.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Genetically-informed population models improve climate change vulnerability assessments. Landscape Ecology 35:1215-1228.
2019
Guiden, Peter W., Savannah L. Bartel, Nathan W. Byer, Amy A. Shipley, John L. Orrock. Predator-prey interactions in the Anthropocene: reconciling multiple aspects of novelty. Trends in Ecology and Evolution.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Ramifications of life history and physiology for nesting habitat selection in a long-lived ectotherm. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 73 (4):47.
2018
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z. Peery. Applying lessons from the avian literature to herpetological field studies: techniques for analyzing nest success. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 13 (3):517–532.
Byer, Nathan. W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Microgeographic variation in bog turtle nesting ecology. Journal of Herpetology 52 (2):228–233.
2017
Byer, Nathan W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Variation in home range sizes of bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenebergii). Journal of Herpetology 51 (1): 68-72.
2015
Anderson, Kaite P., Nathan W. Byer, Teal Richards-Dimitrie and Ryan J. McGehee. A new system for marking hatchling turtles using Visible Implant Elastomer. Herpetological Review 46(1): 25-27.
2013
Byer, Nathan W., Kaite P. Anderson and Richard A. Seigel. Geographic Distribution: Hemidactylus mabouia (wood slave). Herpetological Review 44 (2): 273.
PRESENTATIONS
Sole presenter unless otherwise noted.
2021
Byer, Nathan W., Matthew L. Holding, Miranda M.Crowell, Todd W. Pierson, Thomas E. Dilts, Eveline S. Larrucea, Kevin T. Shoemaker, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Maintenance of Adaptive Divergence Despite Limited Gene Flow and Low Effective Population Size in the Pygmy Rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. Oral presentation at the IALE-North America Meeting.
Parandhaman, Anjana, Nathan Byer, Thomas Dilts, Scott Wright, Derek Friend, Marjorie D. Matocq, Doug P. Boyle, Scott D. Bassett, Amy G. Vandergast, Todd C. Esque, Jill S. Heaton, and Kenneth E. Nussear. Climatically-weighted habitat models hold promise for projections of environmental change impacts in the Mojave Desert Tortoise. Oral presentation at the IALE-North America Meeting.
Byer, Nathan W., and Brendan N. Reid. Deviations from Philopatry and Fidelity in Spatially and Temporally Heterogeneous Environments. Oral presentation at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.
Byer, Nathan W., Anjana Parandhaman, Kristina Drake, Todd Esque, Kenneth E. Nussear, Jill S. Heaton, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Diet Influences Growth, Survival, and Microbiome Composition in the Mojave Desert Tortoise. Oral presentation at the Desert Tortoise Council Symposium.
Parandhaman, Anjana, Nathan Byer, Thomas Dilts, Scott Wright, Derek Friend, Marjorie D. Matocq, Doug P. Boyle, Scott D. Bassett, Amy G. Vandergast, Todd C. Esque, Jill S. Heaton, and Kenneth E. Nussear. Determining current and future drivers of habitat suitability for the Mojave Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, across its range in the Mojave Desert. Oral presentation at the Desert Tortoise Council Symposium.
2020
Kenneth Nussear, Nathan Byer, Scott Bassett, Douglas Boyle, Marjorie Matocq, Todd Esque, Amy Vandergast, Anjana Parandhaman, Thomas Dilts, Scott Wright, and Derek Friend. The Impacts of Land Use and Climate Change on Mojave Desert Tortoise Gene Flow Dynamics and Corridor Functionality. Poster presentation at the SERDP ESTCP Symposium.
Byer, Nathan W., Miranda M. Crowell, Todd W. Pierson, Matthew Holding, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Thomas E. Dilts, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Geographic patterns in neutral and adaptive genetic variation in a sagebrush specialist, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Poster presentation at the annual NSF GUTT Annual Workshop. Presented online.
.
Verkhovykh, Rachel, Nathan W. Byer, Andrew Badje, and M. Z. Peery. Impacts of landscape features on turtle road mortality across scales. Poster presentation at the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society Meeting, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. (presenter – Rachel Verkhovykh)
Hucker, Elizabeth M., Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. Using a systematic converboard monitoring network to reveal effects of temperature on capture rates of small colubrids. Poster presentation at the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society Meeting, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. (presenter – Elizabeth M. Hucker)
2019
Byer, Nathan W, Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Landscape genetic and metapopulation modelling tools reveal complex effects of climate and land-use change for a long-lived ectotherm. Poster presentation at the 2019 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Snowbird, Utah.
Byer, Nathan W, Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Implications of slow pace-of-life for an armored ectotherm. Oral presentation at the 2019 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Snowbird, Utah.
Hucker, Elizabeth M., Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. Using a systematic converboard monitoring network to reveal effects of temperature on capture rates of small colubrids. Poster presentation at UW-Madison Undergraduate Research Exposition, Madison, Wisconsin.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z Peery. Moving beyond apparent success: techniques for analyzing nest survival. Poster presentation at UW-Madison Graduate Recruitment Session, Madison, Wisconsin.
2018
Macey, Suzanne A., Nathan W. Byer, Andrew Myers, Richard A. Seigel, Scott A. Smith, J. Alan Clark, Kevin T. Shoemaker. Applying machine-learning approaches to evaluate bog turtle nest selection models. Oral presentation at 2018 Rangewide Bog Turtle Symposium, Richmond, Virginia.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z Peery. Moving beyond apparent success: techniques for analyzing nest survival. Poster presentation at 2018 Rangewide Bog Turtle Symposium, Richmond, Virginia.
Hucker, Elizabeth, Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. The effect of reproductive status on seasonal and daily thermal selection patterns in the Blanding’s turtle, Emydoidea blandingii. Poster session at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (Presenter: Elizabeth Hucker).
Miller, Kristen, Nathan W. Byer, Emily D. Fountain, and M. Z. Peery. Evaluating marker sets for use in revealing patterns of nest site fidelity and dispersal in turtles. Poster session at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (Presenter: Kristen Miller).
Byer, Nathan W, Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Trade-offs between temperature, predation risk, and nest survival in the Blanding's turtle. Oral presentation at the 2018 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2017
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Perspectives on maternal selfishness. Oral presentation at the 2017 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Austin, Texas.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z Peery. Moving beyond apparent success: techniques for analyzing nest survival. Poster presentation at the 2017 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Austin, Texas.
Reid, Brendan N., and Nathan W. Byer. Keeping up with a changing world, at a turtle’s pace. Oral presentation at the 2017 New York Turtle and Tortoise Society Meeting, New York, New York (Joint presentation by both co-authors).
2016
Byer, Nathan. W, Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. the significance of “good years”: using demographic modelling to predict recruitment rates for a threatened turtle species. Poster presentation at the 2016 North American Congress of Conservation Biology, Madison, Wisconsin.
2015
Byer, Nathan W. Bog turtle conservation and ecology. Invited webinar at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Conservation Connect program, Natiaonl Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
2014
Byer, Nathan W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Threatened from the start: nesting success and nesting ecology of the federally threatened bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii. Oral presentation at the 2014 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Anderson, Kaite P., Nathan W. Byer, Teal Richards-Dimitrie and Ryan J. McGehee. A new system for marking hatchling turtles using visible implant elastomer. Poster presentation at the 2014 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chattanooga, Tennessee (Joint presentation with K. P. Anderson).
Byer, Nathan W. Reptiles and amphibians of Maryland and field techniques for research. Invited seminar at the 2014 Harford Glen Summer Camp program, Bel Air, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Nesting ecology of the bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii. Poster presentation at the 2014 Towson University Research Exposition, Towson, Maryland.
2013
Anderson, Kaite P., Nathan W. Byer, Teal Richards-Dimitrie and Ryan J. McGehee. A new system for marking hatchling turtles using visible implant elastomer. Poster presentation at the 2013 Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting, Branchville, New Jersey.
Byer, Nathan W., and Richard A. Seigel. Temporal variation in freshwater turtle populations. Poster presentation at the 2013 Towson University Research Exposition, Towson, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W., and Richard A. Seigel. Temporal variation in freshwater turtle populations. Poster presentation at the 2013 International Sea Turtle Symposium: Terrapin, Tortoise, and Freshwater Turtle Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W. Tropical field ecology in Peru. Poster presentation at the 2013 Towson University Study Abroad Fair, Towson, Maryland.
2011
Byer, Nathan W. Physical characterization of a vernal pool. Oral presentation at the 2011 Anita C. Leight Estuary Center Intern Research Exposition, Abingdon, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W., and Tina Kelleher. House of leaves. Oral presentation at the 2011 Susquehanna Research Conference, Selinsgrove, PA.
Byer, Nathan W., Roland Roberts, and Roberts Plant Taxonomy Lab. T. cacao misidentification. Poster presentation at the 2011 Towson University Research Exposition, Towson, Maryland (Joint presentation with other lab members).
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Manuscripts reviewed for: Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Conservation Genetics, Conservation Physiology, Herpetologica, Herpetological Conservation and Biology, Herpetological Review, Hydrobiologica, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal of Wildlife Management, and Journal of Herpetology.
2016-2018 Graduate Co-chair, Wisconsin Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2014-2015 Graduate Committee Chair, Biology Graduate Student Association, Towson University.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
2016-2020 Society for Conservation Biology – Wisconsin Chapter
2015-2020 Center for Biological Diversity
2015-2019 Wisconsin Ecology
2014-2015 Towson University Biology Graduate Student Association
2013-2020 Herpetologist’s League
2013-2020 Orianne Society
2013-2020 Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
2012-2020 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
All of the contacts listed below may be contacted to provide references.
Dr. Marjorie D. Matocq
Foundation Professor
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada – Reno, Reno, NV, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (775) 721-9007
Dr. M. Z. Peery
Professor
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (608) 890-2766
Dr. R. A. Seigel
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (410) 704-3123
Dr. E. D. Fountain
Research Associate and Lab Manager
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (717) 342-7959
Nathan Byer
Born August 10, 1990. U.S. Citizen.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada – Reno
Reno, NV 89557
email: [email protected]
phone: 443-453-8590
CURRENT POSITION
Postdoctoral Scholar
Matocq, Heaton, and Nussear Labs
University of Nevada – Reno
Reno, Nevada 89501
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON, Madison, Wisconsin
Doctor of Philosophy in Wildlife Ecology, December 2019
Advisor: Dr. M. Z. Peery
TOWSON UNIVERSITY, Towson, Maryland
Master of Science in Biology, May 2015
Advisor: Dr. R. A. Seigel
TOWSON UNIVERSITY, Towson, Maryland
Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors, May 2012
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Research Assistant 9/2015-12/2019 Madison, WI
· Track Blanding’s Turtles to nesting areas to investigate life history tradeoffs
· Model impacts of climate and land use change for the Blanding’s Turtle using a spatially-explicit, individual-based population model in HexSim
· Design and optimize novel primers for climate-associated genes in Wisconsin turtle species
· Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing to investigate adaptive genetic variation
· Work schedule: 40-50 hours/week, Monday-Friday
Towson University/United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Research Assistant 5/2013-11/2013 Towson, MD
· Tracked federally threatened female Bog Turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) to determine nest locations
· Monitored located nests for signs of predation and hatchling emergence
· Determined success rates of nests
· Measured habitat variables to determine criteria for nest site selection
· Managed mark-recapture, telemetry, and habitat selection databases
· Work schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
Towson University
Teaching Assistant 2/2013-5/2015 Towson, MD
· Taught lab sections for selected courses
· Graded lab reports and presentations
· Assisted students with course material
· Spring, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 assignment: BIOL 201 –Cells and Genetics
· Fall 2014 assignment: BIOL 120 – Introductory Biology for Non-Majors
· Work schedule: 20 hours/week; three days per week (variable)
Towson University Herpetology Lab
Field Technician 4/2012-11/2012 Port Deposit, MD
· Assessed the recruitment of hatchling Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica) into the Susquehanna River Map Turtle population as a whole
· Marked and released hatchling Map Turtles using Visible Implant Elastomer
· Monitored Port Deposit and Octoraro Creek for nesting individuals
· Utilized kayaks and basking traps to capture, mark, and release turtles
· Educated Port Deposit residents and visitors about the Northern Map Turtle
· 30 hours/week; variable shifts
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Herpetology Intern 1/2012-2/2012 Baltimore, MD
· Cooperated with Tropical Rainforest exhibit staff to maintain exhibits
· Cleaned and monitored all rainforest animal displays, with an emphasis on amphibians
· Conducted an independent project to determine Snout Vent Length using photo analysis tools
· 10 hours/week; Saturday and Sunday
Anita C. Leight Estuary Center/CBNERR
Research Intern 7/2011-12/2011 Abingdon, MD
- Developed independent research project on physical characteristics of an ephemeral pool
- Sampled soil and water for potential contaminants
- Designed transects to assess the flora around the pool
- 20 hours/week; variable shifts
Research Assistant 1/2011-6/2011 Towson, MD
· Performed research on Cocoa plant germplasm samples under the guidance of Dr. Roland Roberts
· Conducted Polymerase Chain Reaction experiments to amplify microsatellite DNA loci
· Participated in writing process for drafts of project paper
· 10 hours/week; variable shifts
Towson University Herpetology Lab
Field Technician 4/2010-11/2010 Towson, MD
· Tracked Eastern Box Turtles using radio telemetry in Rockville, MD
· Surveyed East Branch Stream Valley Park for amphibian and reptile diseases
· Maintained data sheets and assisted in data entry.
· Marked location of Box Turtles using GPS technology
· 30 hours/week; variable shifts
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Stream Waders Volunteer 2/2010-4/2010 Westminster, MD
· Collected stream macroinvertebrate samples for large-scale stream survey
· Requested homeowner permission to access streams on private land
· 5 hours/week; weekends
FUNDING AWARDS
2019 SSAR Hutchinson Student Poster Award – Conservation ($250)
2019 American Turtle Observatory Grant ($805)
2019 University of Wisconsin – Madison Conference Travel Grant ($1200)
2016-2018 University of Wisconsin – Madison Travel Awards ($500 each)
2016 Experiment.com crowdfunding campaign ($3900)
2015-2019 UW-Madison Graduate Research Assistantship ($22000/year; PI: M. Z. Peery)
2014 Towson University Graduate Student Travel Award ($490)
2014-2015 Towson University Research Assistantship ($4000/summer; PI: R. A. Seigel)
2013-2015 Towson University Teaching Assistantship ($8000/year)
2012 Towson University Undergraduate Research Award ($249)
2012 Towson University Fisher College Research Award ($249)
2008-2012 Towson University Honor’s College Scholarship ($3000/year)
2008-2012 Towson University Provost Scholarship ($6000/year)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant: Extinction of Species, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Fall 2019
Guest Lecturer: Extinction of Species, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Fall 2018, 2019
Test Writer and Proctor: Science Olympiad (Herpetology), Spring 2018
Teaching Assistant: Herpetology, Towson University, Spring 2013, Spring 2015
Teaching Assistant: Biology for Non-Majors, Towson University, Fall 2014
Teaching Assistant: Cell Biology, Towson University, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
Mentored Students: Rachell Verkhovykh (2019-2020), Elizabeth Hucker (2017-2020), Kristen Miller (2017-2018), Jacqueline Millonzi (2017)
PUBLICATIONS
In prep.
Macey, Suzanne A., Nathan W. Byer, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Scott A. Smith, Richard A. Seigel, and J. Alan Clark. Utilizing machine learning approaches to evaluate nest selection models in a sensitive turtle species.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, M. Z. Peery. Should I stay or should I go? An individual-based model that explores interactions between risk, habitat stability, and site fidelity.
Hucker, Elizabeth, Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. Patterns of thermal selection depend on nesting stage in the Blanding’s Turtle.
In revision
Byer, Nathan W., Matthew Holding, Miranda M. Crowell, Todd W. Pierson, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Thomas E. Dilts, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Adaptive divergence despite low effective population size in a peripherally isolated population of the pygmy rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. Molecular Ecology.
Byer, Nathan W., Thomas E. Dilts, Eveline S. Larrucea, Miranda M. Crowell, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Peter J. Weisberg, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Historical and contemporary landscape effects on genetic connectivity in the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Landscape Ecology.
Byer, Nathan W., Emily D. Fountain, Brendan N. Reid, Kristen Miller, Paige J. Kulzer, and M. Z. Peery. Land use and life history constrain adaptive genetic variation and reduce the capacity for climate change adaptation in turtles. BMC Genomics.
2020
Bougie, Tiffany, Nathan W. Byer, Carly Lapin, M. Z. Peery, James Woodford, and Jonathan N. Pauli. Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) nest protection reduces predation and increases success, but annual variation influences its effectiveness. Canadian Journal of Zoology 98 (11):715-724.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard P. Thiel, and M. Z. Peery. Long-term nest monitoring for Blanding’s Turtles indicates strong climate associations but no temporal trends in nesting phenology. Herpetologica 76 (4):396-402.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Genetically-informed population models improve climate change vulnerability assessments. Landscape Ecology 35:1215-1228.
2019
Guiden, Peter W., Savannah L. Bartel, Nathan W. Byer, Amy A. Shipley, John L. Orrock. Predator-prey interactions in the Anthropocene: reconciling multiple aspects of novelty. Trends in Ecology and Evolution.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Ramifications of life history and physiology for nesting habitat selection in a long-lived ectotherm. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 73 (4):47.
2018
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z. Peery. Applying lessons from the avian literature to herpetological field studies: techniques for analyzing nest success. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 13 (3):517–532.
Byer, Nathan. W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Microgeographic variation in bog turtle nesting ecology. Journal of Herpetology 52 (2):228–233.
2017
Byer, Nathan W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Variation in home range sizes of bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenebergii). Journal of Herpetology 51 (1): 68-72.
2015
Anderson, Kaite P., Nathan W. Byer, Teal Richards-Dimitrie and Ryan J. McGehee. A new system for marking hatchling turtles using Visible Implant Elastomer. Herpetological Review 46(1): 25-27.
2013
Byer, Nathan W., Kaite P. Anderson and Richard A. Seigel. Geographic Distribution: Hemidactylus mabouia (wood slave). Herpetological Review 44 (2): 273.
PRESENTATIONS
Sole presenter unless otherwise noted.
2021
Byer, Nathan W., Matthew L. Holding, Miranda M.Crowell, Todd W. Pierson, Thomas E. Dilts, Eveline S. Larrucea, Kevin T. Shoemaker, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Maintenance of Adaptive Divergence Despite Limited Gene Flow and Low Effective Population Size in the Pygmy Rabbit, Brachylagus idahoensis. Oral presentation at the IALE-North America Meeting.
Parandhaman, Anjana, Nathan Byer, Thomas Dilts, Scott Wright, Derek Friend, Marjorie D. Matocq, Doug P. Boyle, Scott D. Bassett, Amy G. Vandergast, Todd C. Esque, Jill S. Heaton, and Kenneth E. Nussear. Climatically-weighted habitat models hold promise for projections of environmental change impacts in the Mojave Desert Tortoise. Oral presentation at the IALE-North America Meeting.
Byer, Nathan W., and Brendan N. Reid. Deviations from Philopatry and Fidelity in Spatially and Temporally Heterogeneous Environments. Oral presentation at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.
Byer, Nathan W., Anjana Parandhaman, Kristina Drake, Todd Esque, Kenneth E. Nussear, Jill S. Heaton, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Diet Influences Growth, Survival, and Microbiome Composition in the Mojave Desert Tortoise. Oral presentation at the Desert Tortoise Council Symposium.
Parandhaman, Anjana, Nathan Byer, Thomas Dilts, Scott Wright, Derek Friend, Marjorie D. Matocq, Doug P. Boyle, Scott D. Bassett, Amy G. Vandergast, Todd C. Esque, Jill S. Heaton, and Kenneth E. Nussear. Determining current and future drivers of habitat suitability for the Mojave Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, across its range in the Mojave Desert. Oral presentation at the Desert Tortoise Council Symposium.
2020
Kenneth Nussear, Nathan Byer, Scott Bassett, Douglas Boyle, Marjorie Matocq, Todd Esque, Amy Vandergast, Anjana Parandhaman, Thomas Dilts, Scott Wright, and Derek Friend. The Impacts of Land Use and Climate Change on Mojave Desert Tortoise Gene Flow Dynamics and Corridor Functionality. Poster presentation at the SERDP ESTCP Symposium.
Byer, Nathan W., Miranda M. Crowell, Todd W. Pierson, Matthew Holding, Kevin T. Shoemaker, Thomas E. Dilts, and Marjorie D. Matocq. Geographic patterns in neutral and adaptive genetic variation in a sagebrush specialist, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Poster presentation at the annual NSF GUTT Annual Workshop. Presented online.
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Verkhovykh, Rachel, Nathan W. Byer, Andrew Badje, and M. Z. Peery. Impacts of landscape features on turtle road mortality across scales. Poster presentation at the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society Meeting, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. (presenter – Rachel Verkhovykh)
Hucker, Elizabeth M., Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. Using a systematic converboard monitoring network to reveal effects of temperature on capture rates of small colubrids. Poster presentation at the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society Meeting, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. (presenter – Elizabeth M. Hucker)
2019
Byer, Nathan W, Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Landscape genetic and metapopulation modelling tools reveal complex effects of climate and land-use change for a long-lived ectotherm. Poster presentation at the 2019 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Snowbird, Utah.
Byer, Nathan W, Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Implications of slow pace-of-life for an armored ectotherm. Oral presentation at the 2019 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Snowbird, Utah.
Hucker, Elizabeth M., Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. Using a systematic converboard monitoring network to reveal effects of temperature on capture rates of small colubrids. Poster presentation at UW-Madison Undergraduate Research Exposition, Madison, Wisconsin.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z Peery. Moving beyond apparent success: techniques for analyzing nest survival. Poster presentation at UW-Madison Graduate Recruitment Session, Madison, Wisconsin.
2018
Macey, Suzanne A., Nathan W. Byer, Andrew Myers, Richard A. Seigel, Scott A. Smith, J. Alan Clark, Kevin T. Shoemaker. Applying machine-learning approaches to evaluate bog turtle nest selection models. Oral presentation at 2018 Rangewide Bog Turtle Symposium, Richmond, Virginia.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z Peery. Moving beyond apparent success: techniques for analyzing nest survival. Poster presentation at 2018 Rangewide Bog Turtle Symposium, Richmond, Virginia.
Hucker, Elizabeth, Nathan W. Byer, and M. Z. Peery. The effect of reproductive status on seasonal and daily thermal selection patterns in the Blanding’s turtle, Emydoidea blandingii. Poster session at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (Presenter: Elizabeth Hucker).
Miller, Kristen, Nathan W. Byer, Emily D. Fountain, and M. Z. Peery. Evaluating marker sets for use in revealing patterns of nest site fidelity and dispersal in turtles. Poster session at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, UW-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin (Presenter: Kristen Miller).
Byer, Nathan W, Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Trade-offs between temperature, predation risk, and nest survival in the Blanding's turtle. Oral presentation at the 2018 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2017
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, and M. Z. Peery. Perspectives on maternal selfishness. Oral presentation at the 2017 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Austin, Texas.
Byer, Nathan W., Brendan N. Reid, Richard A. Seigel, and M. Z Peery. Moving beyond apparent success: techniques for analyzing nest survival. Poster presentation at the 2017 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Austin, Texas.
Reid, Brendan N., and Nathan W. Byer. Keeping up with a changing world, at a turtle’s pace. Oral presentation at the 2017 New York Turtle and Tortoise Society Meeting, New York, New York (Joint presentation by both co-authors).
2016
Byer, Nathan. W, Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. the significance of “good years”: using demographic modelling to predict recruitment rates for a threatened turtle species. Poster presentation at the 2016 North American Congress of Conservation Biology, Madison, Wisconsin.
2015
Byer, Nathan W. Bog turtle conservation and ecology. Invited webinar at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Conservation Connect program, Natiaonl Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
2014
Byer, Nathan W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Threatened from the start: nesting success and nesting ecology of the federally threatened bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii. Oral presentation at the 2014 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Anderson, Kaite P., Nathan W. Byer, Teal Richards-Dimitrie and Ryan J. McGehee. A new system for marking hatchling turtles using visible implant elastomer. Poster presentation at the 2014 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chattanooga, Tennessee (Joint presentation with K. P. Anderson).
Byer, Nathan W. Reptiles and amphibians of Maryland and field techniques for research. Invited seminar at the 2014 Harford Glen Summer Camp program, Bel Air, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W., Scott A. Smith, and Richard A. Seigel. Nesting ecology of the bog turtle, Glyptemys muhlenbergii. Poster presentation at the 2014 Towson University Research Exposition, Towson, Maryland.
2013
Anderson, Kaite P., Nathan W. Byer, Teal Richards-Dimitrie and Ryan J. McGehee. A new system for marking hatchling turtles using visible implant elastomer. Poster presentation at the 2013 Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting, Branchville, New Jersey.
Byer, Nathan W., and Richard A. Seigel. Temporal variation in freshwater turtle populations. Poster presentation at the 2013 Towson University Research Exposition, Towson, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W., and Richard A. Seigel. Temporal variation in freshwater turtle populations. Poster presentation at the 2013 International Sea Turtle Symposium: Terrapin, Tortoise, and Freshwater Turtle Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W. Tropical field ecology in Peru. Poster presentation at the 2013 Towson University Study Abroad Fair, Towson, Maryland.
2011
Byer, Nathan W. Physical characterization of a vernal pool. Oral presentation at the 2011 Anita C. Leight Estuary Center Intern Research Exposition, Abingdon, Maryland.
Byer, Nathan W., and Tina Kelleher. House of leaves. Oral presentation at the 2011 Susquehanna Research Conference, Selinsgrove, PA.
Byer, Nathan W., Roland Roberts, and Roberts Plant Taxonomy Lab. T. cacao misidentification. Poster presentation at the 2011 Towson University Research Exposition, Towson, Maryland (Joint presentation with other lab members).
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Manuscripts reviewed for: Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Conservation Genetics, Conservation Physiology, Herpetologica, Herpetological Conservation and Biology, Herpetological Review, Hydrobiologica, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, Journal of Wildlife Management, and Journal of Herpetology.
2016-2018 Graduate Co-chair, Wisconsin Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2014-2015 Graduate Committee Chair, Biology Graduate Student Association, Towson University.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
2016-2020 Society for Conservation Biology – Wisconsin Chapter
2015-2020 Center for Biological Diversity
2015-2019 Wisconsin Ecology
2014-2015 Towson University Biology Graduate Student Association
2013-2020 Herpetologist’s League
2013-2020 Orianne Society
2013-2020 Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
2012-2020 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
All of the contacts listed below may be contacted to provide references.
Dr. Marjorie D. Matocq
Foundation Professor
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada – Reno, Reno, NV, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (775) 721-9007
Dr. M. Z. Peery
Professor
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (608) 890-2766
Dr. R. A. Seigel
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (410) 704-3123
Dr. E. D. Fountain
Research Associate and Lab Manager
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (717) 342-7959