Megan J. Donahue, PhD
Department of Biological Sciences & Center for Environmental Analysis
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles CA 90032
mdonahu@exchange.calstatela.edu
Positions Held
2004 – present, Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Environmental Analysis, CSU Los Angeles (Desharnais)
2003-2004, Visiting Scholar, Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College
Education
Ph.D. (2003), Ecology, University of California, Davis
“The interaction of dispersal and density dependence: resource variation, competition, and gregarious
settlement” Thesis Committee: Dr. Peter Chesson (Advisor), Dr. Marcel Holyoak, Dr. Steven Morgan
B.S. (1995), Cybernetics, University of California, Los Angeles
Research Interests
Spatial population dynamics; integration of theory and data; influence of habitat selection on dynamics; marine
community ecology; parasite-mediated interactions
Papers
Donahue, M. J. Size-dependent competition in a gregarious porcelain crab Petrolisthes cinctipes (Anomura:
Porcellanidae). 2004. Marine Ecology Progress Series 267: 196-207.
Donahue, M. J., M. Holyoak, and C. Feng. 2003. Patterns of dispersal and dynamics among habitat patches varying
in quality. The American Naturalist. 162: 302-317.
Donahue, M. J. Conspecific attraction and trade-offs between competition and predation risk: the importance of
habitat cueing. In revision.
Eastwood, M. and M. J. Donahue. Niche shifts in response to an invasive snail: a new look at an old invasion. In
preparation.
Donahue, M. J., B. Melbourne, N. Underwood, and P. Chesson. Variation and covariation in patch quality in the
logistic model. In preparation
Donahue, M. J. and P. Chesson. Understanding the interaction between larval supply and post-settlement
density-dependence: a case-study of Petrolisthes cinctipes. In preparation.
INVITED PAPERS
Chesson, P., M. J. Donahue, B. Melbourne, and A. L. Sears. Scale transition theory for understanding
mechanisms in metacommunities. Forthcoming in M. Holyoak, M. Leibold, and R. Holt, editors.
Metacommunties: spatial dynamics and ecological communities.
Melbourne, B., A. L. Sears, M. J. Donahue, and P. Chesson. Applying scale transition theory to
metacommunities in the field. Forthcoming in M. Holyoak, M. Leibold, and R. Holt, editors. Metacommunties:
spatial dynamics and ecological communities.
Presentations (selected)
Donahue, M.J. 2004. Crabs in Space: understanding local and regional population dynamics of an intertidal
porcelain crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes. Shoals Marine Laboratory. Invited.
Donahue, M. J. 2004. Integrating local experiments and regional survey data using scale transition theory.
Annual Conference of the Center for Environmental Analysis. Pasadena, California. Invited.
Donahue, M. J. 2003. Conspecific attraction and growth-mortality tradeoffs. Meeting of the Ecological Society of
America, Savannah, Georgia.
Donahue, Megan J. and Peter Chesson. 2002. Integrating multiple scales of spatial variation: a case study of
Petrolisthes cinctipes, an intertidal porcelain crab. Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Tucson, AZ.
Donahue, M. J. 2002. The interaction of spatial variation and post-settlement density dependence in the
intertidal porcelain crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes. 31st Marine Benthic Ecology Meeting, Orlando, Florida.
Donahue, M. J. and M. Holyoak. 2001. The effects of dispersal on population dynamics in experimental
microcosms. Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin. Murray F. Buell Award
Honorable Mention
Research Experience
D O C T O R AL R E S E AR C H
Conceived and designed a research project on the intertidal porcelain crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes to
(i) quantify sources of density dependence, including competition, predation, and gregarious settlement
using field and laboratory experiments,
(ii) measure two scales of spatial variation in crab density, larval supply, and predator abundance at
fourteen sites on the California coast,
(iii) fit mathematical models to competition, predation, and gregarious settlement data using maximum
likelihood, least squares, and information criterion approaches, and
(iv) model the influence of spatial variation and density dependence on local and regional population
dynamics using scale transition theory
Modeled fitness tradeoffs affecting conspecific attraction using life-history optimization methods;
demonstrated that habitat cueing is critical to empirical patterns of gregarious settlement
Collaboratively designed and executed an experiment testing the effects of resource distribution and
dispersal rate on population dynamics in microcosm populations of the ciliate, Colpidium striatum; used
maximum likelihood and bootstrapping methods to fit models to local dynamics
Collaborator: Dr. Marcel Holyoak
O T H E R R E S E AR C H
Biological Technician, Kelp Forest Monitoring Project, Channel Islands National Park, Jun-Sept 2000
Monitored kelp forest habitat in the California Channel Islands; surveyed fish, invertebrates, and
macroalgae at sixteen sites using scuba
Simulation Programmer, UCLA Physics Department, June 1992-June 1994
Maintained FORTRAN Monte-Carlo simulations for an experimental high-energy physics collaboration
studying anti-proton decay
Teaching Experience
FACULTY COORDINATOR
Research Experiences for Undergraduates, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Jun-Aug 2004
Coordinated and advised ten undergraduates performing independent research projects
GUEST INSTRUCTOR
Marine Biology, University of New Hampshire, Sept 2003
Lectured on comparative invertebrate biology and ecology
Field Marine Ecology, Bodega Marine Laboratory, Apr 2002
Designed and guided class experiments for the field and laboratory from execution through analysis
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teaching in a Time of Change, Teaching Resources Center, UC Davis, Apr-Jun 2003
Participated in a teaching workshop covering student demographics and expectations, student
motivation, techniques for large lecture classes, and integrating instructional technology
INSTRUCTOR
Introduction to Scientific Diving, UC Davis: Apr 1997-Dec 2001; UC Los Angeles: May 1995 -Jun 1996
Instructed students in basic scuba diving; lectured on physics, physiology, marine biology,
oceanography, and first aid as related to scuba diving; managed volunteers assisting in diver training
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Field Marine Ecology, Bodega Marine Laboratory, Apr-June 2000 for Dr. Steven Morgan
Collaborated in the design and execution of class projects; guided students in the development,
implementation, and analysis of individual research projects
Invertebrate Zoology, UC Davis, Jan-Mar 2000 for Dr. Richard Grosberg
Engaged students through hands-on learning in advanced laboratory and discussion sections
Advanced Community Ecology, UC Davis, Apr-Jun 1999 for Dr. Peter Chesson
Facilitated student learning through tutorials and the development of comprehensive solution sets
Evolution, UC Davis, Oct-Dec 1997 for Dr. Richard Grosberg
Developed and led discussion sections; assisted students with problem sets; developed examination
materials
Introduction to Animal Diversity, UC Davis, Sep 1996-Jun 97, Mar 1998-Mar 99
Led laboratory sessions; developed a new laboratory on the scientific method; developed laboratory
examination materials; managed six undergraduates maintaining laboratory aquaria and terraria
Grants & Awards
American Association of University Women Dissertation Fellowship $15,000
Ecology Graduate Group Competitive Training Fellowship $14,400
NSF-RTG for Nonlinear Dynamics in Biology Traineeship $23,400
Center for Population Biology Graduate Research Awards $2100
Jastro-Shields Graduate Research Awards $3200
University of California, Davis, Graduate Research Awards $3000
Bodega Marine Laboratory Travel Grants $3000
Friday Harbor Marine Laboratory Educational Grant $600
G R A N T W R I T I N G E XP E R I E N C E
Dartmouth College, Department of Education GAANN Fellowships
Developed grant proposals for five departments at Dartmouth College; three proposals were funded,
resulting in 16 graduate student fellowships
Dartmouth Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Superfund Basic Research Program
Coordinated and assisted the development of an integrated, interdisciplinary proposal on the
environmental and human health impacts of arsenic contamination in New England, including six basic
research projects, three facilities proposals, and an outreach initiative. Pending
Professional Service
Reviewer: Ecology (2003), Ecology Letters (2003), Theoretical Population Biology (2001, 2002),
Oecologia (2004)
Judge, ESA Statistical Ecology Section, Peilou Award (2004)
Mentor, ESA’s Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (2001, 2002)
Volunteer Scientific Diver, Kelp Forest Monitoring Project, Channel Islands National Park (1997-2003)
Member, Diving Control Board, UC Davis (1999-2002)
Seminar Coordinator, NSF-RTG Nonlinear Dynamics in Biology (1999-2000)
Curriculum Committee, Ecology Graduate Student Association (1997-1998)
Professional Affiliations
Ecological Society of America (ESA)
Western Society of Naturalists (WSN)
National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)
References
Peter Chesson, Ph.D.
plchesson@ucdavis.edu
Section of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
530-752-3698
Marcel Holyoak, Ph.D.
maholyoak@ucdavis.edu
530-754-7448
Dept of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Steven Morgan, Ph.D.
sgmorgan@ucdavis.edu
Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay, CA 94923
707-875-1920
Myra Shulman, Ph.D.
mjs59@cornell.edu
Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
607-254-4225