Mark W. Herr
State College, PA 16801
mwherr@gmail.com
EDUCATION
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University Park, PA
Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Science, projected graduation in Spring 2016
Honors: Dean’s List, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, and Spring 2014
EXPERIENCE
Langkilde Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
2012-Present
• Worked as a field technician on a project examining fire ecology of timber rattlesnakes in central PA
• Conducted summer research examining the stress ecology of several species of North American pit vipers
• Completed a research project examining the aversion learning behavior of fence lizards in response to repeated
exposures to toxic fire ant prey
• Assisted with a graduate project by conducting counts of invasive fire ants in lizard diet samples
Penn State Presidential Leadership Academy, University Park, PA
2012-Present
• Attend regular meetings with Penn State’s President to discuss, debate, and advise on current university affairs
• Working with other Academy members to draft a medium-term strategic advisory presentation for University leaders
• Represented Turkey in a 2 day International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise with the US Army war college with
US Army War College. The exercise simulated an escalation of the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the South
Caucasus region of Eurasia.
• Participate in regular trips to areas of Social, Political, and Economic interest to meet local leaders and discuss relevant
issues
Clark Lab, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Summer 2012
• Worked as a full time field assistant on two projects studying the interactions between rattlesnakes and small mammals
• Utilized radio telemetry, stationary videography, and thermal imaging to obtain observations of natural interactions
• Conducted experiments to test hypotheses regarding the function of anti-predator signaling
• Practiced safe snake handling techniques including tubing, biometrics, and venom extraction
Fish Systematics Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Fall 2011-Spring 2012
• Worked to identify a means of obtaining accurate 3D surface scans of scientific specimens using existing lab equipment
and developing a standardized protocol for future work
• Learned techniques for acquiring scientifically valid measurements and analyzing biometric data
California Highway Patrol Explorer Program
2010-2011
• Participated in patrols and assisted officers with investigations and enforcement activities
• Inspected vehicles to ensure legal compliance
• Completed the CHP Level III Explorer Academy in Sacramento, CA, a rigorous physical and psychological course
intended to weed out individuals who are poorly suited to law enforcement
GRANTS
Penn State Presidential Leadership Academy Grant. $500.
May 2014
• Project Title: Thermal Ecology Characteristics of Timber Rattlesnake Habitat.
Penn State Undergraduate Summer Discovery Grant. $3000.
April 2013
• Project Title: Comparing the Stress Responses and Defensive Behaviors of Insular and Mainland Populations of the
Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus).
Eberly College of Science Undergraduate Research Grant. $333.
October 2012
• Project Title: Aversion-learning in lizards: the effects of stimulus strength on predatory behavior by a native predator on
nonnative toxic prey.
HONORS AND AWARDS
• Registration Award, SSAR Kansas Conference, Carl Gans Fund
• 1st Place, Brain Behavior and Cognition Award, Penn State University
• Honorable Mention, Henri Seibert Award, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
• Honorable Mention, Information Literacy Award, Penn State University
July 2015
October 2014
August 2014
April 2014
PUBLICATIONS
1. Herr, M. W., A. Centi, T. R. Robbins, C. Thawley, and T. Langkilde. Exposure to a novel prey has
persistent and cumulative effects on behavior over multiple temporal scales, in prep.
2. Herr, M. W., S.P. Graham, and T. Langkilde. The relationship between stress hormones and defensive
behavior in free ranging Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), in prep.
3. Thawley, Christopher J. and Mark W. Herr. 2014. Geographical Distribution: Plestiodon
laticeps (broad-headed skink). Herpetological Review. 45 (4): 661.
4. Herr, Mark W. and Sean P. Graham. 2014. Geographical Distribution: Lithobates
catesbeianus (American bullfrog). Herpetological Review. 45 (4): 654.
5. Herr, Mark W. and Daniel Herr. 2014. Geographical Distribution: Polychrus gutturosus (Berthold's
bush anole). Herpetological Review. 45 (4): 662.
6. Herr, Mark W. and Sean P. Graham. 2014. Agkistrodon piscivorus (cottonmouth) diet. Herpetological
Review. 45 (3): 511.
7. Herr, Mark W. and Sean P. Graham. 2014. Geographic Distribution: Lithobates clamitans (green frog).
Herpetological Review. 45 (2): 277-278.
8. Pierson, Todd W., Theresa Stratmann, Elijah C. White, Adam G. Clause, Cynthia Carter, Mark W. Herr,
Arthur J. Jenkins, Hank Vogel, Michael Knoerr and Brian Folt. 2014. New county records of amphibians
and reptiles resulting from a Bioblitz Competition in north-central Georgia, USA. Herpetological Review.
45 (2): 296-297.
9. Herr, Mark W., Sean P. Graham, Mark Goldy-Brown and Jennie Williams. 2013. Geographic Distribution:
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (eastern gartersnake). Herpetological Review. 44 (4): 631.
10. Herr, Mark W., Sean P. Graham, Mark Goldy-Brown and Jennie Williams. 2013. Geographic Distribution:
Opheodrys aestivus aestivus (northern rough greensnake). Herpetological Review. 44 (4): 629.
11. Herr, Mark W. and Sean P. Graham. 2013. Geographic Distribution: Coluber (=Masticophis) flagellum
flagellum (eastern coachwhip). Herpetological Review. 44 (4): 627-628.
12. Herr, Mark W. and Sean P. Graham. 2013. Geographic Distribution: Lampropeltis elapsoides
(scarlet kingsnake). Herpetological Review. 44 (3): 476-477.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SKILLS
• Assisted The Orianne Society with surveys for central American bushmasters (Lachesis stenophrys) in central Panama
during summer 2014
• In-depth knowledge of animal life histories, with experience finding, identifying, photographing, and handling both
venomous and non-venomous reptiles and mammals in the field and in captivity and success maintaining and breeding
both native and exotic species
• Extensive foreign travel experience, with trips to over 20 countries. Many of the destinations have been off the ‘beaten
path’ with a particular focus on locations with profound natural heritage, including scuba diving and searching for
endemic species in the Galapagos islands; tracking mountain gorillas and whitewater rafting the Nile River in Uganda;
hiking in the canyons of the Jordanian desert looking for snakes (and the Holy Grail); and trekking in Iceland, Mongolia,
Australia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and others
• Languages: Basic Spoken, Read, and Written Russian and Spanish
CERTIFICATIONS
• IACUC certified through PSU to conduct research involving vertebrate animals
• CPR certified through CPR for the Professional Rescuer administered by the California Highway Patrol
• PADI certified Open Water Scuba Diver
CONFERENCES ATTENDED
• 2014 Annual Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 2014
• Biology of the Pitvipers II, Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 2014
• 2013 Annual Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 2013
• 7th World Congress of Herpetology, Vancouver, British Colombia, August 2012