Sterrett Lab at Monmouth University
Wildlife Population Ecology, Conservation Biology and Herpetology
Our Undergraduate Researchers (Shell Crew)
Vicky O'Malley
Where I'm from? Plymouth Meeting, PA
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP), Geographic Information System (GIS Minor)
Research Experience? My experience began in the summer of 2023 with Dr. Sterrett to evaluate Diamondback Terrapin populations and determine sex using small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS aka drones). We are continuing this project and bringing drone ecology to the world of Herpetology! I have also worked to collect samples for SPARCnet on Red-Backed Salamanders in Huber Woods, NJ.
Favorite Herp? My favorite herp is the Pig-nosed turtle. I think they are super cute with their pig noses and webbed feet. They also show just how diverse the herp world can be and how amazing evolution is. A close second is the Diamondback Terrapin as they are the first animal I have gotten to study outside of the classroom.
Plans when I'm done? After graduating I am not totally sure what I want to do. But I plan on continuing in the world of drone ecology and eventually heading to graduate school to further my education. I want to help educate people about nature because with care and compassion comes positive change towards a better future for our planet.
Madison Patterson
Where I'm from? Brick, New Jersey.
Major/Minor? Biology
Research Experience? I am currently working with Dr. Sterrett on evaluating predation risk of an Eastern Box turtle population in Monmouth County, NJ, as part of a research grant from the Urban Coast Institute. I am also helping out other students in their research on the same Box Turtle population.
Favorite Herp? I really like the Arabian Sand Boa, we don’t know much about them compared to other snakes but I love their appearance and I think their morphological adaptation to their environment is truly interesting. A close second would have to be larger species of frogs/toads, especially the South American Horned Frog (also called the Pacman frog)
Plans when I'm done? I’m not completely sure, but I most likely plan on going to grad school to continue in zoological studies. Afterwards, I see myself maybe working in wildlife rehabilitation or some other form of zoological conservation.
Katie Marshall
Where I'm from? Hillsborough, New Jersey.
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP), Geographical Information Systems (GIS Minor)
Research Experience? My research experience began in the summer of 2019 when I traveled to Wassaw, Georgia, and volunteered to help with the Caretta Research Project. I monitored and collected data on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) and fell in love with them ever since. Currently, I am analyzing and collecting samples for SPARCnet on Red-Backed Salamanders in Huber Woods, NJ. In Summer 2023, I’ll work as a technician on a funded project, through the National Parks Service (NPS), to study diamond-backed terrapin nesting on NPS land.
Favorite Herp? If you were to ever meet me in person, I will likely mention my favorite herp (no matter the conversation) which is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta). Since coming to Monmouth, I have broadened my love to freshwater turtles as well as amphibians, but especially salamanders.
Plans when I'm done? My plans once graduating from Monmouth include moving further south to help with research on sea turtles and going to grad school. Hopefully, traveling the world and influencing others to see the beauty in the environment is also in my future :)
Adriana Simancas
Where I'm from? Manalapan, New Jersey
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP) with a minor in Chemistry
Research Experience? I am currently working as a part of the Summer Research Program with Dr. Sterrett on sampling the freshwater turtle populations in Lake Takanassee and other coastal lakes looking at the effects urbanization has on these populations. I am also helping other students with their research on the Eastern Box Turtle populations in Weltz Park.
Favorite Herp? It's hard to choose since I love all turtles, but the Painted turtle and Eastern Box Turtle are pretty cool. It’s interesting to see the different personalities, sizes, and colorations of these turtles whenever we captured them.
Plans when I'm done? I am not exactly sure what I want to do when I am done but I'm looking into the possibility of going to grad school. I know I definitely want to continue in the field of environmental biology!
Richard Robinson
Where I'm from? Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy, Geographical Information Systems (Minor)
Research Experience? Currently working on research surrounding Eastern Box Turtle populations in a Monmouth County Park to determine how they fair in an environment that is surrounded by suburbs. I have also helped with SPARCnet sampling for Red-Backed Salamanders briefly.
Favorite Herp? My Favorite herp is that of the Eastern Box Turtle as they have the wonderful characteristics of typical tortoises but exhibit behaviors of highly aquatic pond turtles, as well as their beautiful coloration and highly domed shell. The Fowlers toad is right behind as it shares my mother’s maiden name. I also have to mention the Eastern Hognose Snake as my third favorite.
Plans when I'm done? I am still figuring myself out at the moment. But I do know that I am in the right field and major. I am considering graduate school or immediately entering the workforce once I have graduated with a bachelors degree, putting to use my knowledge of GIS and Environmental studies.
Jessie Maguire
Where I'm from? Ramsey, New Jersey
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP) with a minor in GIS
Research Experience? I’ve worked on research regarding the behaviors and abundance of red-backed salamanders in Huber Woods in collaboration with SPARCnet. I have also done research on the abundance and size distribution of Queen Conch in marine protected areas with The School for Field Studies in Turks and Caicos.
Favorite Herp? My favorite hero has to be the Russian tortoise because it is obviously the best species of tortoise (and I have one as a pet so I’m a little biased). Banjo frog (aka Green Frog) is a close second.
Plans when I'm done? I am not totally sure yet, but I am planning on going to graduate school and continuing my studies in marine and environmental science and possibly seeking a career in education.
See posters that Jessie has presented HERE
2022 - 51lb Snapping turtle
2021 - 48lb Snapping turtle
Christopher Meehan
Where I'm from? Wall, New Jersey
Major/Minor? I’m majoring in Marine Environmental Biology and Policy at Monmouth University
Research Experience? My field research experience is participating in the Monmouth University Summer research program with Professor Sterrett researching the impact of urbanization on turtles in Lake Takanassee (Chris doesn't know it but I'm going to be talking him into more research in the future - see NOTE below).
Favorite Herp? My favorite herp is the common snapping turtle(Chelydra Serpentina) I always looked forward to catching them and seeing how huge they could get whenever we were out in the field
Plans when I'm done? My plan for when I’m done is to hopefully attend grad school, but I don’t have any concrete plans yet.
NOTE: Chris is also an Honor's Student at Monmouth U and will be focusing his thesis work on Eastern Box Turtle research in suburban environments, with the help of radiotelemetry.
See posters that Chris has presented HERE
Ralya Ragin (Transferred to UNC Wilmington)
Where I'm from? Lawrence, New Jersey
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP)
Research Experience? I’ve helped out in a collaborative research project called SPARCnet, where we used spatial-capture-recapture to better understand Red Backed Salamanders!
Favorite Herp? Eyelash viper is definitely my favorite Herp - partly because of its name - partly because it comes in pink & yellow - partly because they can accidentally get sent overseas in banana shipments.
Plans when I'm done? I’m not exactly sure want I want to do when I’m done, but I definitely want to work in the biology field!
UPDATE: Ralya migrated to UNC Wilmington with her family to continue pursuing her interests in Marine and Environmental Sciences. We MISS HER GREATLY but wish her the best.
Rebecca J. Berzins (Graduated, B.S. MEBP, GIS minor, May 2022)
Where I'm from? Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Major/Minor? Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP) major and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) minor
Research Experience? I helped collect worms and salamanders for SPARCnet in the spring of 2021. Starting in the summer of 2021, I worked with Dr. Sterrett on a project to determine how well independent observers can survey diamond-backed terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) using drone imagery.
Favorite Herp? It's a tie between the plains hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) because of their cute snouts and the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) because I love their mating calls.
Plans when I'm done? I plan to go to grad school and then onto a career as a wildlife ecologist.
Check out a video clip of Rebecca's work here: https://youtu.be/ePqsMj6lP4I
Check out this work published online from Rebecca: The Use of Technology in Wildlife Monitoring
UPDATE: Rebecca worked as a Field Technician for a funded National Parks Service Grant focused on nesting ecology of Diamond-backed terrapin at Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
Megan Malaty (Graduated, B.S. MEBP, May 2022)
Where I'm from? Shark River Hills, NJ
Major/Minor? My major is in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy (MEBP)
Research Experience? In 2020, I gained experience through the Monmouth University summer research program and worked on determining the migration pattern of Smooth Dogfish (Mustelus canis) along the East Coast. In 2021, I also took part in the summer research program working under Dr. Sterrett. We evaluated how suitable several lakes over Monmouth County were for turtles using specific criteria to do so. Also, we studied population density of turtles captured in Lake Takanassee.
Favorite Herp? My favorite herp is all turtles, specifically the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta).
Plans when I'm done? am not sure on exactly what I want to do when I am done, but I plan on looking into graduate programs that could help me gain more knowledge and guide me in the right direction.
See posters that Megan has presented HERE
Angelina K. Ireland (Graduated, B.S. Biology, May 2022)
Where I'm from? Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Major/minor? General Biology Major, Chemistry Minor
Research Experience? : I worked collecting salamander spatial capture-recapture data for SPARCnet in Fall, 2019. In Spring 2020, I helped with the long-term suburban study of Lake Takanassee Turtle research (during the socially distanced Summer Research PrSRP) May-August 2020. I also contributed to a review paper for the red-backed salamander as part of a SPARCnet collaboration
Favorite Herp? Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Update 1: Angel has committed to The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine following graduation at Monmouth U. Woohooooooo!
Update 2: Angel (working with Sara G) has been a part of a large review paper submitted to Herpetological Monographs, titled "Eastern red-backed salamanders: A comprehensive review of an undervalued model in evolution, ecology, & behavior"
Sara R. Grouleff (Graduated, B.S. MEBP, December 2021)
Where I'm from? I am from Lambertville, New Jersey
Major/Minor? My major is in marine and environmental biology and policy (MEBP), and my minor is GIS (geographic information systems)
Research Experience? I have done field research in the Sterrett lab on the turtles of Lake Takanassee in Long Branch New Jersey, focusing on how (and if) the population persists in a highly suburban environment. This research took place from June-July in the summer of 2020.
Favorite Herp? One of my favorite herps is the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) because of how far it can travel, deep it can dive, how large it is compared to other sea turtles, and how it can chase away predators! My other favorite herp is the African Helmeted Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) because it looks so cute and goofy but it’s a killer!
Plans when I'm done? I have no idea what exactly I want to do when I’m done!
Update: Sara has been a part of a large review paper submitted to Herpetological Monographs, titled "Eastern red-backed salamanders: A comprehensive review of an undervalued model in evolution, ecology, & behavior"
Christiana Popo (Graduated, B.S. Biology, 2021)
Where I'm from? Long Branch, NJ
Major/minor in your program? Biology Major/Statistics Minor
Research Experience? In 2019, I worked on study of the impacts of urbanization on Turtles in Takannasee Lake, NJ as part of the Summer Research Program, in addition to helping Dr. Sterrett get his lab up and running. In 2020, I'm working on an honors thesis focused on evaluating biases in published ecological literature.
Favorite Herp? Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Plans when I'm done? Still deciding between medical and veterinary school 🤞
Update: Christiana graduated from the Monmouth University Biology Department and Honors School in May 2021. She's currently applying to Vet Schools.
Travis J. Kirk (Graduated, B.S. MEBP, 2020)
Where I'm from?: I am from Howell, New Jersey and attended Monmouth University for my undergraduate studies.
Major/minor? I received my Bachelors of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy in May 2020.
Research Experience? I have assisted in an independent study which examined a diet shift in the Barbour's Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri), after the introduction of an invasive bivalve. I have also helped conduct population studies of freshwater turtles in local lakes as part of Monmouth's Summer Research Program. Furthermore, I have assisted with the deployment and data collection of SPARCnet plots to track local Salamander populations.
Favorite Herp? It's hard to choose only one, but some of my favorites include the Eastern Musk Turtle, or Stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus), the Red-eyed Crocodile Skink (Tribolonotus gracilis), and the Ball Python (Python regius).
Plans when I'm done? I am currently looking to further my education and research experience in graduate school, focusing on the physiology and ecology of either marine or terrestrial chelonians; or other potential species.
Update: Travis graduated from the MEBP program at Monmouth University in 2020 and is starting graduate school at Nova Southeastern University in Fall 2021.
Dr. Sean C. Sterrett, Assistant Professor, Principle Investigator
Where I'm from? Indianapolis, Indiana (then Georgia -> Massachusetts -> *New Jersey)
Major/minor? I received my B.S. degree (Biology) from Butler University; M.S. and Ph.D. (both Wildlife Ecology and Management specialty) from the University of Georgia
Research Experience? I have 20 years of experience specializing in the biology, ecology, management and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. I also enjoy thinking about freshwater mussel ecology and conservation.
Favorite Herp? Close tie between the Barbour's Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri) or any map turtle, Pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus), Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), Barking treefrog (Dryophytes gratiosus)...How much time do you have?
Plans when I'm done? I'm never done.
Check out more about me HERE