LaPlante Laboratory
Students in my lab have general interests in animal behavior, marine behavioral ecology, and/or conservation. Recent projects completed by students include "Effect of shoreline availability on Bluegill abundance"; "Chemodetection structures of the red-backed salamander; "Male striped salamanders prefer female striped salamanders"; defense strategies of a nudibranch against a fish predator (with Prof. Penney); "Impacts of vessel traffic on haul out behavior of harbor and grey seals in the southern Gulf of Maine"
Directed Research Projects
As a student in my lab, you would have the option of working on 1) an active research project or 2) a proposed research project (see below).
Active Research Projects in Prof. LaPlante's Lab
- Mating behavior in Lepomis (sunfish: Bluegill and Pumpkinseed)
- Mating behavior of the wood turtle
- Haul-out patterns of gray and harbor seals
Proposed Research Projects
Students may propose their own research projects as long as the project overlaps with some aspect of animal behavior, marine behavioral ecology, and/or conservation. Potential projects include mating behavior of sunfish, Betta splendens, and various options for research on zoo animals.
2011 Research Students
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Kelsey Dakoulas (Natural Sciences,'12) - Senior Research Project: "Plethodon cinereus chemodection structures vary dorsoventrally and seasonally" - Currently researching mating preferences of male Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). |
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Sara Sterling (Environmental Sciences '12) - Currently researching mating preferences of female Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) |
2010 Research Students
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Jeffrey Czaplinski (Biology,'10) - Senior Research Project: "Plethodon cinereus chemodection structures vary dorsoventrally and seasonally" - Currently a research technician at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. |
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Jodi Desroches (Chemistry '10) |
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Erin Forbes (Biology, '10) - Senior Research Project (with Weathers): "Male striped salamanders prefer female striped salamanders" |
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Colleen Weathers (Natural Sciences, '10) - Senior Research Project (with Forbes): "Male striped salamanders prefer female striped salamanders" |
2009 Research Students
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Soleil Bacque (Biology, '09) - Currently pursuing her DVM at Ross University |
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John Gould '09 |
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Jamie Panunzio (Biology '09) - Recently completed two masters degrees (MSES, MPA) at Indiana University |
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Christie Usher '09, Environmental Science |