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Jeffrey
J. Kovatch, Ph.D. Assistant Professor |
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Education Ph.D. Syracuse University,
Biology 2008 B.S. University of Pittsburgh, Ecology and Evolution 1995 |
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Office Science Building 116 Phone (304) 696-3829 Address Dept. of Biological Sciences Marshall University 1700 3rd Avenue Byrd Biotech Building Huntington, WV 25703 |
Checking a nest box for House Wren eggs in New York. |
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General
Research Interests ·
Animal Physiological Ecology ·
Behavioral Ecology ·
Energy Flux in Large Rivers ·
Growth and Growth Modeling ·
Mathematical Ecology and Modeling ·
Scaling ·
Thermal Biology My research with animals focuses on how animals obtain
energetic resources and how those resources are allocated. I
investigate aspects of feeding, growth, thermoregulation, and metabolic rate. Estimating and comparing metabolic rates is
central to my research because metabolic rates influence energetic needs and
limit energetic allocation. Temperature and body size are primary influences
on metabolic rates, so I use models to understand how patterns of energy use
and gain change with size, environmental temperature and life-cycle stage. In general, I favor a comparative approach
that involves making quantitative predictions with theoretical models and
testing those predictions in both laboratory and field settings.
Currently I am working on projects with freshwater mussels and desert
amphibians. Previously I worked with
altricial birds. I am also interested in temporal and spatial patterns of
energy flux in temperate large rivers.
Because large rivers can be difficult to study, I use remote sensing
coupled with ecological modeling to study ecosystem level patterns of energy
flux. Components of my work involve
field work, laboratory experiments and modeling. For more information on specific projects
see my research
link. Currently, Dr.
Kovatch is accepting motivated graduate students and undergraduate
researchers in his laboratory. Dr. Kovatch does sponsor students in other
laboratories. |
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© Dr. Jeffrey J. Kovatch,
2010. All rights reserved. |
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