NEWSLETTER
December 2011
CALENDAR ADDITIONS: Please add to Calendar where someone can click on date and see event.
Newsletter Content
1. Recent Faculty Achievements
2. Recent Student Achievements
3. Lake Thoreau Environmental Center
4. Biological Sciences Learning Center
5. Suggestion Box
6. Ireland Studies Programs
7. Spring 2012 E3 Seminar Series
8. Night at the Museum
RECENT FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS
 Dr. Jennifer Regan received the Aubrey Keith Lucas and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for
Faculty Excellence Award to conduct a project investigating the heritability of “spottiness”
in male topminnows. Spottiness in males seems to be related to reproductive success so
they are going to determine to what degree the trait is passed from parent to
offspring. Undergraduate students will be active participants in the project, which will be
carried out primarily during the late spring and early summer. Regan ALSO received the
Summer Grant for Improvement of Instruction. For this project, she will be developing lab
activities with the hopes of increasing student group interaction with the intent to build
educational relationships that improve student understanding.

Dr. David Beckett, Professor, was awarded a Sabbatical leave for Fall 2012 to pursue his
work on a new limnology textbook. He has been asked by Garland Science, a publishing
group that specializes in developing life science textbooks, to author a textbook concerning
limnology, the study of inland waters. Plans are for Dr. Beckett to join with Dr. Alexander
Horne (University of California, Berkeley) and Dr. Charles Goldman (University of
California, Davis) in revising Horne and Goldman’s 2nd edition of “Limnology.” Dr. Beckett
has been awarded a sabbatical by the University of Southern Mississippi for fall 2012 to
begin work on the text.
RECENT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
 Brandy Mays (Gulf Coast Biology major, graduated in December 2011) was accepted into
the M.D. program at UMMC in Jackson! CONGRATS 

A doctoral student, Susan DeVries, received runner-up for the Ocean Optics photo contest
(see the photo below!). Susan was taking pictures of Caitlin Winters “in action” to help her
prepare for her thesis defense. Susan took this picture of Caitlin measuring the plumage
color of male 015 using our Ocean Optics color reflectance spectrometer. The cardinal was
being so well behaved! Susan DeVries was nominated as one of the runner-ups, getting a
cash award and the use of her picture on their website and in their advertisements. To see
more information about the Ocean Optics photo contest and the other winners go to:
http://www.oceanphotochallenge.com/.
LAKE THOREAU
 Lake Thoreau Environmental Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 8-5!
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES LEARNING CENTER
Need help with a class? Go to the Biological Sciences Learning Center in Mississippi Hall
Basement 004. FREE tutoring assistance for Students enrolled in Biological Sciences Lecture
Courses: BSC 103, BSC 107, BSC 110, and BSC 111. Find a time that works for you! Their hours
are: Mon, Tues, Wed 5-7PM; and Thurs 3-5PM.
SUGGESTION BOX
There is a suggestion box located right outside the Biological Science Departmental office (Johnson
Science Tower 720). If you have a constructive comment, concern, problem, etc.; please feel free to
write us a note (anonymously if you wish) and drop it into the box.
*FOR SPRING 2013 Enroll in Ireland Biology Field Experience this spring! (BSC 404/L and
504/L) Join Dr. Kristy Halverson as she takes you on a biological field experience unlike no
other. Visit locations such as the Irish House in Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalaugh,
Blarney Castle & Stone, Blarney Woolen Mills, kayaking with Fungi, the Cliffs of Moher, The
Barren, Doolin Cave, and topping it all off with a banquet at the Bunratty Medieval Castle. Become
familiar with major Ireland geography, customs, culture and history. Identify and document native
flora and fauna biodiversity. Aid in local biological conservation efforts. Participate in servicelearning projects and provide well thought-out reflections on the experiences with respect to
attitude, behavior, and course content. Experience Irish culture by immersing oneself in local
activities. And most importantly, have come craic! Check out these awesome pics from the Ireland
trip!
Dates: The on-campus portion of the class this spring 2013 semester will be arranged by the
professor, likely beginning late January/early February.
The field portion of the trip to Ireland will be 13 May - 26 May 2013.
Cost: The cost of the program is $4599 for undergraduate credit and $4799 for graduate
credit. This price includes tuition, airfare, housing, some meals, and all entry fees. (Financial Aid is
Available!)
*Apply through International Programs at: http://www.usm.edu/study-abroad.
Completed online application, with $250 deposit, will be accepted until November, space
permitting.
SEMINAR SERIES
E3, the informal seminar series covering topics on Ecology, Evolution, and the Environment, is
now underway for Spring 2012. E3 is held Wednesday at noon to 1 pm in TEC 106. We have a
variety of talks scheduled from students and faculty. Please plan to join us and learn what is going
on in the department. Don’t forget to bring your lunch! The schedule can be found at:
http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w777157/E3_Spring%202012_schedule_final.pdf Stop by!
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Come join us for a “Night at the Museum”, a monthly event at the Biological Sciences Learning
Center (BSLC) designed to promote biological literacy for fourth through eighth graders in
Hattiesburg. These events involve an overnight adventure at the Southern Miss Biological
Sciences Learning Center. Students will learn about topics related to environmental biology,
adaptations, animal behavior, and ecology by participating in hands-on activities.
This event is open to students in 4th – 8th grades and costs $25 to attend. Plan to drop off your
child at the BSLC (http://www.usm.edu/biological-sciences/biological-sciences-learning-center)
between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue until 8:00 a.m. the next
morning. Please plan to pick-up your child from the BSLC between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Pack a
sleeping bag, pillow, toothbrush/toothpaste, change of clothes, water bottle, snacks, and flashlight
or headlamp. Please label all belongings and limit them to one bag. Participants might also
consider bringing a camera. Snacks and breakfast will be provided, but you should eat dinner
before arrival.
Spring 2012 Night at the Museum Dates:
Feb 17 - "The Changing Face of Earth": How has our planet, and the life on it, changed from the
earliest days to the present? Come find out with us!
Mar 23 - "Great Migrations": We are exploring how animals big and small move from season to
season!
April 20 - "Earth & Arbor Day Celebration!" - Learning to help our ecosystems, and ourselves, a
little at a time!
*Participants should wear comfortable clothes for inside activities, weather appropriate clothes
for outside activities, and tennis shoes.*
Space is limited so sign up today! Email johnny.sellers@usm.edu for an application.