Dan Nonte, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 3-23-07
Jackie Metheny.
GREENSBORO, NC – Jackie Metheny, who recently earned her master’s degree in biology at UNCG, has received the Elmer C. Birney Graduate Honorarium for her thesis research on bat roosting habits.
The American Society of Mammalogists presents the awards to the top three research manuscripts submitted by graduate student members.
Metheny and the other recipients will present their research at the plenary session of the society’s annual meeting, June 6-10 in Albuquerque, N.M. Metheny also received a $750 stipend to defray the cost of attending the meeting.
Metheny is a part-time lecturer and research technician in the UNCG Department of Biology and plans to start a PhD in spring 2008 at the University of Maryland.
Her research, guided by Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Rüppell of UNCG and Dr. Mark Brigham of the University of Regina, explored the genetic patterns associated with tree roosting habits of big brown bats in Cypress Hills Interprovinical Park in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The bats in the park roost in three different areas and switch trees every few days. Using genetic analyses and behavioral studies, she found that kinship does not seem to play a role in roost-mate decisions.
