Dr. Thane Wibbels
Previous Students
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Ricardo Tapilatu (PhD 2014). Dissertation: "The Conservation of the Western
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle at Bird’s Head Peninsula, Indonesia." Position after
graduation: Faculty, Department of Biology, State University of West Papua
(UNIPA).
Tandy Dolin Petrov (MS 2014). Thesis: "Biology, Ecology, and Conservation of
Hatching and Post-Hatchling Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemmys terrapin
pileata)." Position after graduation: Enrolled in PhD program, molecular biology
of Drosphila, at UAB.
Kayla Bieser (PhD 2013). Dissertation: "Molecular Basis of Male Sex
Determination during Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination." Position
after gradution: Assistant Professor, Northland College, Wisconsin.
Elizabeth Bevan (MS 2013). Thesis: "Implications of Hatchling Sex Ratios and
Survival in the Recovery Program for the Endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle."
Position after grduation: Enrolled in PhD program at UAB Department of Biology
Taylor Roberge (MS 2012). Thesis: "Evaluating the Reproductive Biology of the
Diamondback Terrapin in Alabama Salt Marshes: Implications for the Recovery of
a Depleted Species." Position after graduaiton: enrolled in PhD program at UAB,
physiology and evolution of TSD in turtles.
Andrew Coleman (PhD 2011). Dissertation: "Biology and Conservation of the
Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemmys terrapin pileata) in Alabama." Position
after graduation: Senior Research Scientist and Sea Turtle Research Coordinator
at Institute for Marine Mammals Studies, Gulfport. Current position: Research
Director, Birmingham Audubon Society.
Jennifer Estes (PhD 2011). Dissertation: "Biological, Ecological, and
Conservational Implications of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in
Sea Turtle Populations." Position after graduation: Assistant Professor,
Department of Biology, Samford College, Birmingham.
Anne Marie LeBlanc Eich (PhD 2009). Dissertation: "Evoluntionary and
Conservation Implications of Sex Determination and Hatching Predation in
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles." Position after graduation: Biologist, NOAA Fisheries,
St. Petersburg.
Corrie Therrien (MS 2008). Thesis: "Conservational Implications of TemperatureDependent Sex Determination." Position after graduation: Faculty, Jefferson
State Community College, Birmingham.
Keela Dodd (PhD 2007). Dissertaion: "The Molecular Biology of Temperature
Dependent Sex Determination." Position after graduation: Postdoctoral
Fellowship, UAB.
Amber Park (MS 2006). Thesis: "Sex Ratios, Sexing Techniques and the
Conservation of Sea Turtles."
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Chris Murdock (PhD 2004). Dissertation: "Molecular Basis of TemperatureDependent Sex Determination." Position after graduation: Postdoctoral
Fellowship, USDA. Current Position: Associate Professor, Jacksonville State
University, Alabama.
Alyssa Geis (PhD 2004). Dissertation: "Utilizing Technologies for Enhancing the
Conservation of Sea Turtle Populations." Position after graduation: Faculty,
Gainesville State College, Georgia.
Keela Dodd (MS 2004). Thesis: "Investigations of the Physiology of TemperatureDependent Sex Determination." Position after graduation: Enrolled in PhD
program, UAB Department of Biology
Jenny Estes (MS 2003). Thesis: "Evaluation of Hatchling Sex Ratios from Natural
Nesting Beaches of Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles." Position after graduation:
enrolled in PhD program, UAB Department of Biology.
Alyssa Geis (MS 2001). Thesis: "Evaluation of Sex Ratios in Sea Turtle
Populations." Position after graduation: Enrolled in PhD program, UAB
Department of Biology.
Chris Murdock (MS 2000). Thesis: "Development of a Quantitative Competitive
RT-PCR for Aromatase and SF-1 Expression in a Reptile with TemperatureDependent Sex Determination." Position after graduation: enrolled in PhD
program, UAB Department of Biology.
Shane Tubbs (MS 1998). Thesis: "Prosection for Central Venous Line Placement."
Position after graduation: PhD program at UAB in anatomy; faculty position in
anatomy at UAB School of Medicine.
Jon Cowan (MS 1997). Thesis: "Cloning and Expression Analysis of Steroidogenic
Factor 1 in a Turtle with Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination." Position
after graduation: Lab Coordinator, Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
JoAnne Hanson (MS 1997). Thesis: "Development of Methods for Estimating
Hatchling Sea Turtle Sex Ratios." Position after graduation: Environmental
Specialist and Officer in the US Coast Guard.