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Biography:
This is my thirty-fourth year at Ohio Wesleyan. I am a professor
in the Zoology Department and Co-director of the Ohio Wesleyan
Honors Program. I teach Genes, Evolution and Society for non-majors
(Zool. 102), ornithology
(Zool. 341), scientific writing (Eng. 312), and island biology
(Zool. 349 [the students, my wife, and I travel to the Galápagos
at the end of the semester]). I also teach a Freshman Honors
Tutorial (Zool 190.1). Together with Dr. David M. Johnson,
Professor of Botany, I teach an honors course on tropical
biology (Bomi/Zool 300.5) in which we and the students spend
10 days
in Costa Rica.
Closer to home, I chair the National Audubon-Ohio committee
on Important Bird Areas. The committee has identified those areas
in the state that are critical to maintaining the diversity of
birds and other wildlife found in the state. Now we are working
with conservation organizations, also local, and state government
throughout the state to see that these areas are preserved and
managed effectively. Finally, I have just steppped down as president
of the American Ornithologists' Union, the world's largest professional
society
for the scientific study of birds.
I live in a rural area north of Delaware where I feed a lot
of insects, birds, and mammals. My wife, Pam, and I enjoy camping,
reading, music (I am a trustee of the Central Ohio Symphony),
opera, theatre, and art museums (my wife paints and is an excellent
photographer). I also follow several of the university teams.
Pam is a veterinary nurse. We are fascinated by the natural world
and travel frequently, recently to Argentina, Antarctica, the
Falklands and Chile. In August, 2006, we visited northern Europe
researching the early life of Alexander Wilson,
father
of American
ornithology,
for a book I am writing on his contributions to science, literature
and art in the early 19th Century. I also attended
the 24th
International
Ornithological
Congress in Germany. In May, 2007, we and the Island Biology
class were in the Galapagos and eastern Ecuador in rainforests
along the Rio Napo. In summer 2010 we did field work in Costa
Rica and Texas. So our interests are diverse, which is why we
enjoy the curriculum and
atmosphere
of a liberal
arts
college,
as well as the varied interests of our students.
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Courses taught:
Click on an underlined course title to view a brief description
of that course.
GENES,
EVOLUTION, AND SOCIETY (ZOOL 102):
In this introductory zoology course for non-majors, we
look at the biology and anatomy of humans and how the body
functions in sickness and in health. We discuss the evolution
of humans
and how we have influenced and continue to influence our natural
world. We also look at human behavior. The course features
an analysis of scientific methodology and discussion of the
some of the difficult biological and ethical issues that face
all humans (e.g., what to do with the information from the
human genome project; human embryonic stem cell research; when
is death).
HONORS TUTORIAL- Avian Microbiology (Bomi/Zool 190.1):
Students spend the first three to four weeks reading the literature
on feather-degrading bacteria
and learning
about laboratory and field techniques by spending time in the lab
and field with me and student mentors. Our field site is my home
where we meet to catch birds and enjoy breakfast, lunch and discussion
of
the
research
possibilities. Each student also does a research project, some
of which have been developed into independent projects and senior
theses. Several have been presented at national scientific meetings
and been published with student authors. (See below for citations.)
TROPICAL
BIOLOGY (BOMI/ZOOL 300.5): Dr. Johnson (Botany) and I provide
an overview of tropical ecosystems from the perspectives of
plants
and
animals.
In addition we consider the geological and climatological forces
that have shaped current tropical communities. Students present
selected research papers and conduct their own research during
our brief trip into the tropics.
SCIENTIFIC WRITING (ENG312): In this course students use data
they have collected as part of summer research or an independent
or tutorial project to write a scientific paper, a grant proposal
to carry the work to the next level, and a newspaper article based
on their research. Students have published their articles and several
students have had their grants funded and gone on to do the research.
ORNITHOLOGY
(ZOOL 341): We
look at the unique and wondrous aspects of birds:
how they fly, their unusual respiratory systems, their evolution
from dinosaurs, feathers, song as a communication system, and
other facets. Field work is a major part of the course as are
weekend trips to wild habitats in the state.
ISLAND
BIOLOGY (ZOOL349): You learn about the unusual aspects
of island biology, processes such as colonization and extinction,
any evolutionary trends such as loss of fear. We also look
at the formation of islands and how this influences their biology.
At the end of the semester the class along with me and my wife
travel to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador to see the trends
we have been discussing.
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Research interests:
I have a number of advisees and several students, both freshmen
and advanced students, with whom I am collaborating. Our research
deals with the function and evolution of avian coloration, a subject
on which I have published two books and numerous articles. A number
of students, faculty in chemistry, microbiology, and molecular
genetics, and I have studied the bacteria
and fungi that live in the plumage of wild birds. The Howard Hughes
Medical Institute, Smithsonian Institution and the National Science
Foundation have supported our research. Students have presented
papers at
the
National Conference
on Undergraduate Research, the national meetings of the American
Ornithologists' Union, the Wilson Ornithological Society, the American
Society for Microbiology and several international meetings, most
recently
the 4th North
American
Ornithological Conference in Veracruz, Mexico, where six students
presented their work. We are collaborating with researchers at
the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Arizona State
University and the national museum in Madrid, Spain. Recently
our work on feather-degrading microorganisms as a determining factor
in
the
color variation of
Song Sparrows
in
the western United States lead to a collaborative study of
the degradation rates of differently-colored parrot feathers.
This research involves freshmen in my Honors Tutorial.
These
are exciting projects, and we have a lot of fun with each of them.
Consider becoming involved.
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Curriculum Vitae:
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EDWARD H. BURTT, JR.
Cincinnati Conference Professor of Zoology
A.B. Biology, Bowdoin College (1970)
M.S. Zoology, University of Wisconsin - Madison (1973)
Ph.D. Zoology, University of Wisconsin - Madison (1977)
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POSITIONS
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- University of Tennessee (1976-1977), Visiting Assistant Professor
of Psychology
- Ohio Wesleyan University (1977- ), Assistant Professor of Zoology
(1977-1983), Associate Professor (1983-1987), Professor (1987-
), Cincinnati Conference Professor (2001-)
- Ohio State University (1981-1982), Senior Research Fellow in
Zoology
- University of Utah (1998), Visiting Research Professor in Biology
- Harvard University (2002, 2005), Visiting Research Fellow
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BOOKS
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- Burtt, E. H., Jr. (ed.) 1979. The behavioral significance of
color. Garland STPM Press, New York,
xiv + 456 pp.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. 1986. An analysis of physical,
physiological and optical aspects of avian coloration with emphasis
on Wood
Warblers. Omithol. Monogr. 38:x + 1-126.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. 2007. The Nearctic Region. pp.
48-93 in (ed.
A. Gosler) Birds of the World. Phillips Press, London.
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RESEARCH PAPERS
(* undergraduate)
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Selected Publications:
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- Burtt, E. H., Jr., B and J. M. Ichida. 1999. Occurrence
of feather-degrading bacilli in the plumage of birds. Auk 116: 364-372.
- Muza, M. M.*, E. H. Burtt, Jr., and J. M. Ichida.
2000. Distribution of bacteria on the feathers of eastern North
American birds.
Wilson Bull. 111: 432-435
- Ichida, J. M., L. Krizova*, C. A. LeFevre*, H. M. Keener,
D. L. Elwell, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2001. Bacterial inoculum enhances
keratin degradation and biofilm formation in poultry compost.
J. Microbiol. Methods 47: 199-208.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. and J. M. Ichida. 2004. Gloger's Rule, feather-degrading
bacteria, and color variation among Song Sparrows. Condor 106:
681-686.
- Goldstein, G., K. Flory*, B.A. Browne*, S. Majid*, J. M. Ichida,
and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2004. Bacterial degradation of black and
white feathers. Auk 121: 656-659.
- Tiquia, S. M., J. M. Ichida, H. M. Keener, D.L. Elwell, E.
H. Burtt, Jr., and F. C. Michel, Jr. 2005. Bacterial community
profiles
on feathers during composting as determined by terminal restriction
fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rDNA genes. Appl.
Microbiol. Biotechnol. 67: 412-419.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. and J. M. Ichida. 2006. Selection for feather
structure. Acta Zoologica Sinica 52 (Supplement):131-135.
- Schreiber, R.W., E.A. Schreiber, A. M. Peele*, and E.
H. Burtt, Jr. 2006. Pattern of damage to albino Great
Frigatebird flight feathers supports hypothesis of abrasion by
airborne particles.
Condor 108:736-741.
- Bisson, I-A., P. Marra, E.H. Burtt, Jr., M. Sikaroodi, and
P.M. Gillevet. 2007. A molecular comparison of plumage and soil
bacteria across biogeographic, ecological, and taxonomic scales.
Microbiol. Ecol. 54: 65-81.
- Saranathan, V.* and E.H. Burtt, Jr. 2007. Sunlight on feathers inhibits
feather-degrading bacteria. Wilson J. Ornithol. 119: 239-246.
- Reneerkens, J., M. A. Versteegh*, A. M. Schneider*, T. Piersma,
and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008. Seasonally changing
preen wax composition: Red Knots flexible defense against
feather degrading bacteria? Auk 125: 286-290.
- Peele, A.M.*, E. H. Burtt, Jr., M. R. Schroeder,
and R. S. Greenberg. 2009. Dark color of the Coastal Plain Swamp
Sparrow
may be an
evolutionary response to occurrence and abundance of salt-tolerant,
feather-degrading bacilli in its plumage. Auk 126: 531-536..
- Bisson, I-.A., P. Marra, E. H. Burtt, Jr.,
M. Sikaroodi, and P. A. Gillevet. 2009. Variation in plumage
microbiota depands
on season and migration. Microbiol. Ecol. 56: 65-81.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. 2009. A future with feather-degrading
bacteria. J. Avian Biol. 40: 349-351.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr., M .R. Schroeder*, L. A.
Smith*, J. E. Sroka*, and K. J. McGraw. 2010. Colourful parrot
feathers resist bacterial
degradation. Biol. Lett. 6: (doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0716).
- Williams, S.M.* and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2010. How birds bills
help them see. Birding 40 (5): 32-38.
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PATENTS
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- Burtt, E. H., Jr. and J. M. Ichida. 1999. Keratinase produced
by Bacillus licheniformis. U. S. Pat. 5877000.
- Ichida, J. M. and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2002. Use of plumage bacteria
to enhance poultry composting. U. S. Pat. 6214576.
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OTHER PUBLICATONS
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- Burtt, E. H., Jr. 2004. Presentation. Pp.
7-10. in J.C. Senar. Mucho mas que plumas. Museo de Historia
Natural,
Madrid.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. 2005. Blue Jay, Pigeons, Quail. World
Book Encyclopedia.
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. 2006. Goldfinch, Lark Bunting, Purple Finch,
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Stellar's Jay, Thrush. World
Book Encyclopedia.
- Leupen, S. M. and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2005. The
truly participatory seminar. Teaching Professor 24: 4-5.
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Papers Presented in 2008 - 2010
(* undergraduate at Ohio Wesleyan) |
- Burtt, E. H., Jr., B. L. Sharp*, P. Wee, C.
Irvine*, J. M. Ichida, Y. Hu*, H. Liu*, and L. M. Tuhela. 2008.
Bacterial degradation of feather under simulated plumage conditions. 126th
Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union.
- Lear, K. M.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008. Bacterial degradation
of flight and body contour feathers by B. licheniformis. Joint Meeting
of the Wilson Ornithological
Society and the Association of Field Ornithologists.
- Palmer, M.S.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008. Resistance of
turaco feathers to bacterial degradation. Joint Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological
Society and
the Association of Field Ornithologists.
- Smith, L. A.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008. The geography
of coloration in parrots. 126th Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union.
- Stenger, J. M.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008. The bacterial
degradation of phaeomelanic and eumelanic feathers. Joint Meeting of
the Wilson Ornithological Society
and the Association of Field Ornithologists. [Winner of the best
student paper award]
- Williams, S. M*., and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008.
Structure of albino feathers: why so weak? Joint Meeting of the
Wilson Ornithological
Society
and the Association
of Field Ornithologists (Mobile, AL).
- Williams, S. M.*, and E.
H. Burtt, Jr. 2008. Structure
of albinistic, melanic, and white feather barbs. 126th Meeting
of the American Ornithologists' Union
(Portland, OR).
- Wilson, M. P.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2008.
Bacterial degradation of flight and body contour feathers by B.
licheniformis.
Joint Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association
of Field
Ornithologists
(Mobile,
AL).
- Palmer, M.S.* and R.R. Deatsman*. 2009. Inter- and intraspecific
interactions among Neotropical, montane hummingbirds at feeders.
Joint Annual Meeting
of the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association of
Field Ornithologists (Pittsburgh, PA).
- Palmer, M. P.* and E. H. Burtt, Jr., Grooming
action patterns used by House Sparrows. 2009. Annual Meeting of
the Association of Field Ornithologists/Wilson Ornithological Society.
- Smith, L. A.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr. 2009.
The geography of color in parrots. Joint Annual Meeting
of the Wilson
Ornithological
Society
and the Association
of Field Ornithologists (Pittsburgh, PA).
- Williams, S.M.*
and E.H. Burtt, Jr., 2009.
Avian diversity in disturbed and undisturbed Costa Rican
cloud forest
and lowland rainforest.
Joint Annual Meeting
of the Wilson Ornithological Society and the Association
of Field Ornithologists (Pittsburgh, PA).
- Williams, S. M.* and E. H. Burtt, Jr. Bill color
and foraging behavior in songbirds. 2009. Meeting of American Ornithologists
Union.
- Wilson, M. P.*, and E. H. Burtt, Jr.,
2009. Dynamics of Staphylococcus
aureus and other Staphylococcus species in avian
plumage. Joint Annual Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological
Society
and the Association
of Field
Ornithologists (Pittsburgh, PA).
- Alamshah, A.* and E. H. Burtt, Jr. Maintenance behavior of House
Sparrows. 2010. Annual Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society.
- Kalish, J.* and E. H. Burtt, Jr. Bacteria in the plumage of hawks
and owls. 2010. Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society. (winner
of the best student paper award)
- Williams, S. M.* and E. H. Burtt, Jr. Bill color
and foraging behavior in non-songbirds. 2010 Award Meeting of
the American Ornithologists'
Union.
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MASTERS THESIS COMMITTEE
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Law-Brown, J. Department of Biological Sciences, University
of Cape Town, South Africa
Versteegh, M. A. Biology Department, University of Groningen,
Netherlands.
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DOCTORAL THESIS ADVISEE COMMITTEE
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- de Repentigny, Y., Department of Biology, Université de
Montreal, Canada
- Porter, B. A., Department of Zoology, Ohio State University,
United States
- Norris, J. Department of Biology. University of Missouri-St.
Louis, United States
- Ruiz de Castenada Blum, R. L. Museo de Historia Natural, Madrid,
Spain.
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BOOKS
- Burtt, E. H., Jr. and W. E. Davis, Jr. The art and Science
of Alexander Wilson: father of Amewrican Ornithology
PAPERS
- Burtt, E. H., Jr., G. S. Hamaoui* and M. R.
Schroeder*. Feather-degrading bacilli from the plumage of Botteri's
Sparrows living in wet and dry habitats in Arizona. Condor. (submitted)
- Williams, S. M.* amd E. H. Burtt, Jr. Structural differences
between albino and black frigatebird feathers and their importance
to understanding durability. Wilson J. Ornithol. (submitted)
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MEMBERSHIPS, OFFICES HELD AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL
RECOGNITION
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- American Ornithologists' Union: member (1968-); Life Fellow
(1988-); Bylaws Committee, Chair (1996-2006); elected to Council
(2000-2003); ad
hoc Committee on AOU Governance, Chair (2004-2005); Vice-President
(2005-2006); Associate Editor of the Auk (2006- ); Presidential
Citation (for outstanding contributions to the American Ornithologists'
Union, 2006); President-elect (2006-2008); President (2008-2010)
- American Society of Naturalists: member (1978 - )
- Animal Behavior Society: member (1972-), Fellow
(1994 - ), Parliamentarian (1982-1988)
- Association of Field Ornithologists: life member (1972 - ),
Editor of recent literature reviews (1978-1985), Editor (1986-1991),
Vice-president (1989-1991), President (1991 - 1993)
- British Ornithologists' Union: member (1975 - ), Associate
Editor (1996 -2005)
- Cooper Ornithological Society: member (1986 - )
- Ohio Alliance for the Environment: Board (1988-1994), President
(1992-1994), President's Award for Contributions to Environmental
Education (1996)
- Ohio Ornithological Society: founding member (2006-)
- Sigma Xi Research Society: member (1976 - )
- Wilson Ornithological Society: life member (1970 - ), Second
President-elect (1993 - 1995) First President-elect (1995 - 1997),
President (1997-1999)
- International Ornithologists' Union: Fellow (2010-)
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