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~~~ Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Lab ~~~
 

I am a terrestrial vertebrate ecologist studying anthropogenic changes to landscapes and how those changes impact wildlife population dynamics and community structure. Integration of the human dimension allows theory to come full-circle via on-the-ground management applications. Projects in the lab typically involve field work (with mostly birds and mammals), and center around questions that can inform management and conservation decisions for native wildlife species. Current projects use drone technology, smartphone apps, and citizen science to study animal, and associated plant, ecology. I am also interested in science education; focusing on strategies to recruit, retain, and graduate STEM majors. ()

Courses Taught

• Life on Planet Earth (BSCI 10002)
• Lab Experience in Biology (BSCI 10003)
• Biological Diversity (BSCI 10110)
• Career Pathways in Biology (BSCI 30105)
• Biogeography (BSCI 30361)
• Conservation Biology (BSCI 40374)
• Wildlife Resources (BSCI 40525)
• Vertebrate Zoology (BSCI 40556)

Current and Recent Service

• Coordinator, Stark Campus Biological Sciences (Current)
• Chair, , The Wildlife Society (Current)
• Associate Editor, (Current)
• Chair, Faculty Council, Stark Campus (Summer 2020 - Spring 2022)
• Chair, Regional Campuses Faculty Advisory Council (RCFAC) (Fall 2021 - Spring 2022)
• Chair,  (Fall 2021 - Spring 2022)

Recent Presentations

• Smith, G.A. 2024. Leveraging a resource: citizen science as a tool in wildlife conservation.  Colloquium Series, Department of Biology, University of Akron, 4 October, Akron, OH. 
• Kelly, E., A. Scholl, and G. A. Smith. 2023. Evaluation of thermal drones as a technique for estimating white-tailed deer population size in Northeastern Ohio. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, 5-9 November, Louisville, KY. (Poster)
• Ramey, J., and G. A. Smith. 2023. Citizen science as a wildlife management tool: potential biases in an unstructured data platform. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, 5-9 November, Louisville, KY. (Poster)
• Ramey, J.E., S.A. Merritt, and G.A. Smith 2023. Potential biases in data collection for an unstructured citizen science platform. Kent State University at Stark Student Conference. 21 April.
• Smith, G.A. 2020. Personal safety in the outyard: skunks, bears, coyotes...Oh my! LEAD for Pollinators Women in Beekeeping Conference: Becoming 21st Century Leaders. 25 October.
• Smith, G.A. 2020. An introduction to biological diversity long-term datasets. Symposium on Biological Diversity. The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting (virtual). 28-29 September.
• Smith, G.A. 2019. Wildlife in an urbanizing world: coyotes as a case study. Bath Township “State of the Parks” Meeting, University of Akron Field Station, 21 March. 
• Lehnert, M., K. Reiter, G. Smith, and G. Kritsky. 2019. Cicada ovipositors are enriched with cuticular metal deposits. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, 17-20 November, St. Louis, MO.
• Ohm, R.A., K.R. Ruegg, and G.A. Smith. 2019. Utilizing citizen science to monitor invasive species in Ohio. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting, 3-6 April, Memphis, TN. (Poster)
• Ruegg, K.R., R.A. Ohm, and G.A. Smith. 2019. Citizen science and the conservation of biological diversity: taxonomic bias and threatened and endangered species. Ohio Academy of Science Annual Meeting, 13 April, Columbus, OH.
• Pace, C.K., A.C. Hoffman, C.A. Bahlai, and G.A. Smith. 2018. Activity dynamics of urban wildlife associated with feral cat colonies in northeast Ohio. Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution Annual Meeting, 18-21 July, Ontario, Canada.
• Smith, G.A., and A.C. Hoffman. 2017. Population dynamics of feral and free-ranging domestic cat colonies in NE Ohio: landscape, turnover, and sympatric wildlife. Ohio Community Wildlife Cooperative Conference, 8 November, Columbus, OH. (Invited Poster)
• Smith, G.A., R.J. Trimbath, and D.R. Garrett. 2017. Nesting success of Hooded Warblers in exotic shrubs: multi-trophic interactions in the forest understory. Joint meeting of American Ornithological Society and Society for Canadian Ornithologists, 31 July - 5 August, East Lansing, MI. (Poster)

Select Grants

• Herbert W. Hoover Foundation. 2024. Conservation of Florida ecosystems: a study away course for Kent State University Students. PI with Co-PI M. Lehnert. ($55,153)
• Herbert W. Hoover Foundation. 2023. Collaborative research and education - Conservation genetics of deep-sea fishes: biodiversity, genome structure, and molecular adaptation. PI with Co-PI's R. Hamilton and M. Shivji. ($189,192)
• Ohio Department of Transportation. 2022. Updated GIS model for predicting bat use of bridges in Ohio. PI with Co-PI’s R. Liu, A. Scholl, and A. Sharag-Eldin. ($100,000 – Not Funded)
• Herbert W. Hoover Foundation. 2019. Collaborative research and education - Flood risk reduction benefits of Florida's mangroves: ecosystem conservation at the land-water interface. PI with Co-PI’s M. Beck, R. Hamilton, and S. Narayan. ($100,000)
• Ohio Department of Higher Education, Choose Ohio First. 2016. Choose Ohio First STEMM Scholarship Program: enhancing STEMM opportunities at a regional campus. Co-PI with A. Kasturiarachi and C. Kauth. ($61,425; renewable, $327,871 total)
• National Science Foundation – Division of Undergraduate Education. 2016. Enhancing STEM opportunities at a regional campus: pathways to STEM degrees and careers. PI with Co-PI’s C. Earley, A. Guercio, M. Lehnert, and C. Schweitzer. ($649,980 – Not Funded)
• Dominion Foundation Higher Educational Partnership. 2016. Wired wetland: technology-enhanced education in the environmental sciences. ($25,000)    
• Division of Research and Sponsored Programs, Kent State University. 2015. Population dynamics of feral and free-ranging domestic cat colonies with implications for management. ($6,500)
• Summit Metro Parks.  2011-2014. Industrial/Community Assistantship Program in Graduate Education. ($86,168)
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. 2012. Movement and migratory behavior of tree bats (Lasiurus and Lasionycteris) within the western basin of Lake Erie. ($110,997)
• National Science Foundation – Division of Integrative Organismal Systems: Processes, Structures, and Integrity. 2011. Collaborative Research: Natural selection on growth and locomotor development in eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Co-PI with J. Young and M. Butcher. ($350,558 total with all collaborators)
• National Center for Science and Civic Engagement. 2009. GLISTEN (Great Lakes Innovative Stewardship Through Education Network) Subgrant - Northeast Ohio Collaborative Cluster. Co-PI with T. Beyerle. ($45,000)
• National Science Foundation – Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement. 2009. Collaborative Research: Transformative Model of STEM Education for First-Year Students at an Urban-Commuter Campus. Co-PI with L. Chism, J. Cordonnier, J. Crooks, W. Donovan, A. Gavrin, K. Ross-Alaolmolki, E. Wheland, and B. Williams. ($257,856 total with all collaborators) 
• SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities) Implementation Award. 2008. SENCERizing an exploratory learning community: increasing interest in STEM disciplines through experiential learning. Co-PI with J. Brantner, W. Donovan, H. Qammar, K. Ross-Alaolmolki, S. Strnad, E. Wheland, and B. Williams.  ($3000)
• National Science Foundation – Research Experiences for Undergraduates. 2008. Ecology at the urban-rural interface. Co-PI with R. Mitchell and J. Pan. ($180,001)