AMY E. ARNETT
EDUCATION
B.S. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1991. Biology.
Ph.D. University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, March 1998. Biology.
INTERESTS
Insect ecology, community and population ecology, patterns of biodiversity, life-history theory, plant-animal interactions, evolutionary ecology, biogeography, population genetics, science teaching, pedagogy
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
August 2003 – present: Associate Professor of Biology, Unity College, Unity, Maine.
August 1999 - 2003: Assistant Professor of Biology, Unity College, Unity, Maine.
April 1998 - August 1999: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.
September 1997 - April 1998: Research Fellowship, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
September 1993 - September 1997: Teaching Fellowship, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
PUBLICATIONS
A.E. Arnett and D. Van Horn. 2008. Connecting mathematics and science: A learning community that helps mathphobic students. Journal of College Science Teaching. In Press.
S.M. Louda, T.A. Rand, F.L. Russell, and A.E. Arnett. 2005. Assessment of ecological risks in weed biocontrol: Input from retrospective ecological analyses. Biocontrol, 35: 253-264.
S.M. Louda, T.A. Rand, A.E. Arnett, A.S. McClay, K. Shea and A.K. McEachern. 2005. Evaluation of ecological risk to populations of a threatened plant from an invasive biocontrol insect. Ecological Applications, 15(1): 235-349.
Arnett, A.E. and N.J. Gotelli. 2003. Bergmann’s rule in larval ant lions: Testing the starvation resistance hypothesis. Ecological Entomology, 28: 645-650.
S.M. Louda, A.E. Arnett, T.A. Rand, and F.L. Russell. 2003. Invasiveness of some biological control insects and adequacy of ecological risk assessment and regulation. Conservation Biology, 17(1): 73-82.
Arnett, A.E. and S.M. Louda. 2002. Re-test of Rhinocyllus conicus host specificity, and the prediction of ecological risk in biological control. Biological Conservation, 106: 251-257.
Arnett, A.E. and N.J. Gotelli. 2001. Pit building decisions of larval ant lions: effects of larval age, temperature, food, and population source. Journal of Insect Behavior, 14(1): 89-97.
Louda, S.M. and A.E. Arnett. 2001. Predicting non-target ecological effects biological control agents: Evidence from Rhinocyllus conicus. Proceedings, Xth International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds, N. Spear, editor. USDA, ARS, Sydney, MT.
Gotelli, N.J. and A.E. Arnett. 2000. Biogeographic effects of red fire ant invasion. Ecology Letters, 3(4): 257-261.
Arnett, A.E. and N.J. Gotelli. 1999. Geographic variation in life-history traits of the ant lion, Myrmeleon immaculatus: evolutionary implications of Bergmann's Rule. Evolution, 53(4): 1180-1188.
Arnett, A.E. and N.J. Gotelli. 1999. Geographic variation in ant lion body size and heterozygosity. Journal of Biogeography, 26: 275-283.
Louda, S.M., D. Simberloff, G. Boettner, J. Connor, D. Kendall, and A.E. Arnett. 1998. Insights from data on the nontarget effects of the flowerhead weevil. Biocontrol News and Information 19(3): 70N-71N.
Arnett, A.E. and J.W. Pepper. 1997. Mate guarding in the Glossy Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus lathami. Emu 97: 177-180.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Population and Community Ecology, Unity College, Unity, Maine, 2003 – present.
This course is a survey of ecological principles and practice. Labs are interactive and research-oriented. Besides exposing students to the basic tools of an ecologists, students conduct group research projects that they design, implement and analyze and present to in a written and oral format.
Evolutionary and Ecosystem Ecology, Unity College, Unity, Maine, 2004 – present.
An upper-level course that increases students understanding of how animal and plant populations interact with their environment. Laboratories are centered around in-depth investigations of ecological modeling and theory, with active hands-on experiences. Lectures focus on reading and interpreting the current ecological literature.
Insect Ecology, Unity College, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008
This course covers behavioral, population, and community ecology of insects, including the interactions between insects and plants, and the application of the principles of insect ecology to biological control of insects and weeds. Topics taught through active discussions of scientific papers, individual student research projects, and lectures.
Desert Ecology Learning Community, Unity College, Spring 2007.
This course was linked with a Literature of the Southwest course taught by Kate Miles, Professor of Literature. Students studied the basic topics regarding the ecology of the desert, including plant and animal adaptations, desertification, and precipitation patterns. A week long field trip to Arizona to explore the desert was a key part in students studying this unique ecosystem. The students were required to write a paper connecting the topics between the two linked courses.
Math and Biology Learning Community, Unity College, Unity, Maine, 2004 – 2007.
I teach a General Biology course that is linked with a college-level algebra course. The math professor and I have worked together to develop a linked course where the students learn their math in context of their biology course. Data collected during biology laboratory is used as the material for the application of their algebra content. Assessment of this interdisciplinary approach shows increased satisfaction and learning in math for students in these courses.
Research Methods and Design, Unity College, 2005.
Ecology Field Research Experience, Unity College, 2007.
Conservation Biology, Unity College, Unity, Maine, 2003 – 2006.
Biology I: Cellular and Organismal Function, Unity College, 1999 – present.
Biology II: Evolution and Diversity, Unity College, 1999 – present.
Old-Time Music Course, Unity College, 2006.
PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
National Science Teachers Association. 2007. Detroit, Michigan. “Teaching math in the context of biology: A learning-community success story.”
Ecological Society of America. 2007. San Jose, California. “Indirect effects of invasive biocontrol weevil on native insect floral herbivores in temperate prairies.”
Ecological Society of America. 2001. Madison, Wisconsin, “Evidence of rapid evolution in the biological control weevil, Rhinocyllus conicus.”
Ecological Society of America. 1999. "Indirect effects of biocontrol agents: Evidence from Rhinocyllus conicus."
Xth International Symposium on the Biological Control of Weeds. 1999. Sydney, Montana, "Predicting non-target ecological effects: Evidence from Rhinocyllus conicus."
Entomological Society of America. 1998. Las Vegas, Nevada, "Biocontrol criteria: are they good enough?"
Ecological Society of America. 1997. Albuquerque, New Mexico, "Effects of genetic and environmental factors on life history variation in the common ant lion."
Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch. 1997. Burlington, Vermont. "Effects of genetic and environmental factors on life history variation in the ant lion Myrmeleon immaculatus DeGeer (Neuroptera: Myrmelontidae)."
American Society of Naturalists, 1996. Providence, Rhode Island. "Latitudinal variation in body size and heterozygosity of the ant lion, Myrmeleon immaculatus: evidence of Bergmann's Rule."
SELECT INVITED PRESENTATIONS
University of Maine, Orono, 2008. Maine Girls Collaborative Project Conference. Keynote Speaker.
Unity College, Unity. 2007. “The biodiversity imperative.” Lapping Lecture Series.
University of Maine, Orono. 2002. “Bergmann’s rule in an ant lion: evidence of counter-gradient selection.”
University of Maine, Orono. 2001. “The impact of exotic species on native communities: thistles, ants, and loosestrife.”
University of Nebraska, Cedar Point Biological Station. 1999. “Predicting non-target ecological effects of biological control agents: evidence from Rhinocyllus conicus.”
Unity College, Maine. 1999. “Insect diversity, abundance and adaptations.”
State University of New York, College at Fredonia. 1999. “Bergmann's rule in a North American ant lion: evidence of counter-gradient selection.”
University of Nebraska, Lincoln. 1998. “Geographic variation in life-history traits of an ant lion: evolutionary implications of Bergmann's rule.”
SELECT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
National Science Foundation project: Diagnostic Question Clusters to Improve Student Reasoning and Understanding in General Biology Courses. ESA meeting workshop, Milwaukee, WI, 2008
Problem-Based Service-Learning Institute: An innovative approach to teaching in all disciplines, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, 2004
Computer and Graphing Calculator Workshop, Colby College, Waterville, ME, 2004.
10th National Council for Undergraduate Research Conference, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, 2004.
Workshop on Gender Issues in the Sciences, Colby College, Waterville, ME, 2003.
Assessment Strategies Workshop, Unity College, 2002.
New Approaches and Techniques for Teaching Science: Addressing Environmental Problems to Stimulate Undergraduate Learning, NSF Summer workshop, University of Maine, Farmington, ME, 2001.
Staff Member, Maine Math and Science Academy, “Dynamic Processes in a Forested Ecosystem: Schoolyard Applications of the Maine Learning Results,” Unity College, Unity, ME, 2000.
Wadsworth/Thomson Learning College Success Workshop, "50 Ways to Leave Your Leave Your Lectern: Active Learning Strategies to Engage First-Year Students, Boston College, Boston, MA, 1999.
Session Chair, "Engendering Technology: 14th Annual Maine Women's Studies Conference," University of Maine, Augusta, ME, 1999.
SELECT AWARDS
2008 Fulbright Scholar Award Recipient.
2008 NSF Diagnostic Question Cluster's Teaching Participant Award
2007 Unity College Research Grant.
2006 Unity College Research Grant.
2003 Colleague on a Mission, Unity College, Unity, Maine.
2003 Unity College Research Grant.
2001 Unity College Research Grant.
2000 Maine Association of Wetland Scientists Grant, $500.00
1998 Grant-in-Aid, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research, $3,900.00
1997 National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant, $8,000.00.
1997 Best Paper, Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch Meeting, Burlington, Vermont.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Council for Undergraduate Research
National Science Teachers Association
Ecological Society of America
Society for the Study of Evolution
Society for Conservation Biology
Entomological Society of America
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society