JOEL RALSTON—Curriculum Vitae
Department of Environmental Conservation
University of Massachusetts
160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003
ralston@eco.umass.edu
(716) 244-1068
http://joelralston.weebly.com/
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EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
University at Albany (SUNY Albany), Albany, NY
2011
Dissertation: Biogeographic consequences of historic and contemporary climate
change in boreal birds
Advisor: Dr. Jeremy J. Kirchman
Committee members: Drs. George Robinson, M. Katherine Gonder, Roland Kays, Kurt
KcKean
B.S. in Zoology, (graduated cum laude)
Department of Biological Sciences
Oswego State University (SUNY Oswego), Oswego, NY
2006
Honors Thesis: Nesting behavior of old field birds in relation to mowing regime
Advisor: Dr. Peter Weber
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Guest Lecturer
10/2014
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Gave lecture and lead a discussion on using genetic markers to assess the potential
effects of climate change on natural populations. Course: Conservation and Animal
Behavior. Instructor: Dr. Toni Lyn Morelli
Visiting Assistant Professor
8/2011 – 12/2013
Utica College, Utica, NY
Taught 12 – 15 contact hours per semester. Courses taught include General Biology I
(lecture and lab), Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology I and II (lecture and lab),
Research Methods I and II, and Biology of Birds. Conducted original research with
undergraduate students, working closely on research with approximately 10 research
students in 2.5 years, and many more on in class research projects. Engaged in
service to the department and college.
J. Ralston—CV
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Guest Lecturer
10/2010
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY
Lead a field trip and demonstration of field methods for ornithology including using
mist nets, and capturing and banding wild birds. Course: Ornithology. Instructor: Dr.
Kathryn J. Schneider
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University at Albany, Albany, NY
Instructor for General Biology I and II labs.
08/2006 – 05/2008
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Research Associate
01/2014 – Present
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Research on ecology and conservation of spruce-fir forest birds. Conduct statistical
analyses using R and ArcGIS, write manuscripts for publication, participate in regular
lab meetings in ornithology, and contribute to the academic atmosphere of the
Northeast Climate Science Center.
Supervisor: Dr. David I. King
Research Fellow
05/2008 – 05/2011
New York State Museum, Albany, NY
Generated and analyzed data for population genetic studies on birds, assisted in
curatorial activities including preparation of approximately 100 bird specimens, and
assisted in attaining grants and permits for avian field work.
Supervisor: Dr. Jeremy J. Kirchman
Field Biologist
06/2010 – 08/2010
Bird Studies Canada, Sackville, NB, Canada
Lead a field team of two other technicians in remote regions to conduct avian surveys,
and mist net, band, and bleed wild birds. Recovered and deployed geolocator tags on a
threatened species of bird.
PUBLICATIONS
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (in print and in review)
* denotes undergraduate author
Ralston, J., and J. J. Kirchman. 2013. Predicted range shifts in North American boreal forest
birds and the effect of climate change on genetic diversity in blackpoll warblers
(Setophaga striata). Conservation Genetics 14: 543-555.
J. Ralston—CV
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Ralston, J., and J. J. Kirchman. 2012. Content-scale genetic structure in boreal forest
migrant, the Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata). The Auk 129: 467-478.
Kirchman, J. J., J. Ralston, and N. A. Gifford. 2011. Stable isotope analysis of fall migration
stopover by Passerines on an inland pitch pine- scrub oak barren. Wilson Journal of
Ornithology 123: 547-555.
Ralston, J., D. A. Ermacor*, and J. J. Kirchman. A new wood warbler hybrid (Oreothlypis
celata x O. ruficapilla) from the Adirondack Mountains. In review at Wilson Journal of
Ornithology.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Weber, P. G., and J. Ralston. 2006. Breeding Birds in Old Fields in Central New York State in
Relation to Field Mowing. Rice Creek Research Reports. Rice Creek Field Station, SUNY
Oswego, Oswego, NY.
MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION
Ralston, J., D. I. King, W. V. Deluca, G. J. Niemi, M. J. Glennon, J. C. Scarl, and J. D. Lambert.
Combining local-scale survey data to estimate trends in abundance at multiple spatial
scales for a threatened community of birds. Proposed journal: Conservation Biology.
Ralston, J., S. E. Scanga, J. J. Kirchman, and A. Fitzgerald. Habitat selection in a boreal bird
community in northeastern North America. Proposed journal: Northeastern
Naturalist.
PRESENTATIONS
CONTRIBUTED RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
*denotes undergraduate student
Ermacor, D. A.*, J. Ralston, J. J. Kirchman. Discovery of a new Oreothlypis warbler hybrid in
Adirondack Mountains. Poster presented at the Northeastern Natural History
Conference, Springfield, MA, April 7 – 9, 2014.
Blowers, A. J.*, K. R. Ford*, J. Ralston, and S. E. Scanga. Local and landscape-scale habitat
selection in five boreal birds threatened by climate change. Poster presented at the
International Congress for Conservation Biology 2013, Baltimore, MD, July 21 – 25,
2013.
J. Ralston—CV
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Blowers, A. J.*, K. R. Ford*, J. Ralston, and S. E. Scanga. Low-elevation versus high-elevation
habitat selection in boreal birds at their southern periphery. Poster presented at the
Wilson Ornithological Society Annual Meeting, Williamsburg, VA, March 7 – 10, 2013.
Ralston, J., and J. J. Kirchman. ‘Pseudocongruence’ and ‘Pseudoincongruence’ in the
comparative phylogeography of North American boreal forest birds. Oral presentation
at the American Ornithologists Union annual meeting, Jacksonville, FL, July 24 – 29,
2011.
Ralston, J. Forecasting the effects of climate change on genetic diversity in a boreal forest
bird. Oral presentation at the Northeastern Natural History Conference, Albany, NY,
April 6 – 9, 2011.
Ralston, J. Genetic consequences of climate change in mountain birds. Oral presentation at
the New York State Ornithological Association annual meeting, Auburn, NY, October
23, 2010.
Ralston, J., and J. J. Kirchman. Integration of species distribution models and genetic data to
predict the effects of climate change on genetic diversity in Boreal birds. Oral
presentation at the Wilson Ornithological Society annual meeting, Geneva, NY, May 20
– 22, 2010.
Ralston, J. Phylogeography of a Neotropical migrant isolated on mountain “islands”. Poster
Presentation at Sigma Xi Graduate and Undergraduate Student Poster Conference,
Oswego, NY, April 18, 2009.
Ralston, J., and J. J. Kirchman. Phylogeography of a Neotropical migrant isolated on
mountain “islands”. Poster Presentation. Wilson Ornithological Society and American
Field Ornithologists Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, April 12 – 13, 2009.
INTRAMURAL RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
*denotes undergraduate student
Ermacor, D. A.*, and Ralston, J. Discovery of a new Oreothlypis warbler hybrid from the
Adirondack Mountains. Poster presentation at the Utica College Student Research
Day, Utica, NY, April 30, 2012.
Ralston, J. Studies of Avian Migration. Oral presentation for the Asa Gray Biological Society
seminar series. Uitca College, Utica, NY, March 5, 2012.
Ralston, J. Predicting the effect of climate change on genetic diversity in boreal birds. Oral
presentation at the Utica College Faculty Research Day, Utica, NY, October 26, 2011.
J. Ralston—CV
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GRANTS
EXTRAMURAL FUNDING
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources, Centre for Forestry
and Science Innovation.
Taxonomy, Status, and Habitat associations of Gray-cheeked Thrush in Newfoundland
and southern and central Labrador. 2014 - 2015. $32,830.
Co-PIs: Darroch Whittaker (Parks Canada), Ian Warkentin (Memorial University),
Jeremy J. Kirchman (New York State Museum), Alyssa Fitzgerald (University at
Albany).
American Ornithologists’ Union Student Travel Award
‘Pseudocongruence’ and ‘pseudoincongruence’ in the comparative phylogeography of
North American boreal forest birds. 2011. $300
American Museum of Natural History, Frank Chapman Fund
Comparative phylogeoraphy of Neotropical migrants on isolated mountain islands.
2009. $2,000.
American Field Ornithologists Student Travel Award
Phylogeography of a Neotropical migrant isolated on mountain islands. 2009. $300.
INTRAMURAL FUNDING
Utica College, Faculty Small Grant
Comparative Phylogeography of North American Boreal Forest Birds. 2012 - 2013. 2
Grants, Total $1,000.
University at Albany Graduate Student Organization Research Grant
Genetic Structure and Conservation of Mountain Birds. 2009-2010. 3 grants, Total
$1,280.
SUNY Benevolent Association Research Grant
Genetic Structure of a Long Distance Avian Migrant. 2008. $500
Rice Creek Field Station Research Grant
Breeding Birds in Old Fields in Central New York State in Relation to Field Mowing.
2005-2006. 2 grants, Total $2,000.
J. Ralston—CV
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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Ecological Society of America
International Biogeography Society
American Ornithologists’ Union
Wilson Society for Ornithology
Sigma Xi
SERVICE
Invited reviewer for scientific journal (Northeastern Naturalist 2009 – 2013)
Judge of scientific posters/presentations (Wilson Society for Ornithology; 2013)
Judged undergraduate presentations at annual meeting.
Faculty advisor to the Asa Gray Biological Society (student biology club at Utica College;
2013)
Coordinator of Biology Student Research meetings (Utica College; 2012 – 2013)
A grad school style lab meeting for undergraduate students interested
in or currently doing research with Biology department faculty (~10-15 students each
meeting). The group met every two weeks to share progress, discuss papers, give
practice presentations, and plan future research. I initiated and developed the meetings
in collaboration with Dr. Sara Scanga.
Coordinator of GeoTalk lecture series (Utica College; 2012-2013)
A faculty lecture series including a mix of leisurely travel experiences and geography
focused research interests, with themed refreshments. I coordinated 3 lectures per
semester.
Founding President of Graduate Student Biology Organization (University at Albany;
2010-2011)
J. Ralston—CV
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REFERENCES
Dr. David I. King (Postdoc Advisor)
Wildlife Biologist / Adjunct Associate Professor
USFS Northern Research Station / Dept. Environmental Conservation
201 Holdsworth Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Email: daveking@eco.umass.edu
Phone: 413-545-6795
Fax: 413-545-1860
Dr. Jeremy J. Kirchman (PhD Advisor)
Curator of Birds; New York State Museum
3140 Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Email: jkirchma@mail.nysed.gov
Phone: 518-474-1441
Fax: 518-486-2034
Dr. Daniel Kurtz (Teaching reference)
Associate Professor; Utica College
1600 Burrstone Road
Utica, NY 13502
Email: dkurtz@utica.edu
Phone: 315- 792-3923
Dr. Sara Scanga (Current research collaborator and teaching reference)
Associate Professor; Utica College
1600 Burrstone Road
Utica, NY 13502
Email: sescanga@utica.edu
Phone: 315-792-3137