Matthew E. Gifford
Washington University
Department of Biology
Campus Box 1137
St. Louis, Missouri 63130
Phone: (314)935-5302
Fax: (314)935-4432
gifford *at* biology2 *dot* wustl *dot* edu
CV in PDF
Education:
2002 - present:
Washington University, St. Louis, MO (Ph.D.)
Advisor: Allan Larson
2000 - 2002:
University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX (M.S.)
Advisor: Ronald Gutberlet, Jr.
1995 - 1999:
Avila College, Kansas City, MO (B.S. Biology)
Advisor: Robert Powell
Publications (Peer-reviewed):
Langerhans, R.B., Gifford, M.E. and Joseph, E.O. In press. Ecological speciation among blue holes in mosquitofish. In M. Uribe and H. Grier, eds. Viviparous Fishes II. Homestead, FL, New Life Publications.
2008:
Wittenberg, R.D., Gifford, M.E. 2008. Funnel traps may be inappropriate for many studies of semi-aquatic snakes. J. Freshwater Ecol. 23:213-218.
Gifford, M.E. 2008. Divergent character clines across a recent secondary contact zone in a Hispaniolan lizard. J. Zool. 274:292-300.
Gifford, M.E., D.L. Mahler, and A. Herrel. 2008. The evolution of locomotor morphology, performance, and antipredator behaviour among populations of Leiocephalus lizards from the Dominican Republic. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 93:445-456.
2007:
Langerhans, R.B., M.E. Gifford, and E. Joseph. Ecological speciation in Gambusia fishes. Evolution, 61:2056-2074.
Gifford, M.E. and R. Powell. 2007. Sexual dimorphism and reproductive characteristics in five species of Leiocephalus lizards from the Dominican Republic. J. Herpetol., 41:521-527.
2004:
Glor, R.E., M.E. Gifford, A. Larson, J.B. Losos, L. Rodriguez-Schettino, A. Chamizo-Lara, and T.R. Jackman. 2004. Partial island submergence and speciation in an adaptive radiation: a multilocus analysis of the Cuban green anoles. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lon., Biol. Sci. 271:2257-2265. PDF
Gifford, M.E., R. Powell, A. Larson, and R.L. Gutberlet, Jr. 2004. Population structure and history of a phenotypically variable teiid lizard (Ameiva chrysolaema) from Hispaniola: The influence of a geologically complex island. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 32:735-748. PDF
2003:
Gifford, M.E., B.E. Fontenot. 2003. Geographic distribution: Bufo nebulifer. Herpetol. Rev. 34(3).
Fontenot, B.E., M.E. Gifford, and R. Powell. 2003. Seasonal variation in dietary preferences of a Hispaniolan anole, Anolis longitibialis. Herpetol. Bull. 86:2-4.
2002:
Gifford, M.E., B.E. Fontenot, and D. Nieves. 2002. Geographic distribution extension of Anolis porcatus in the Dominican Republic. Herpetol. Rev. 33(3):223.
Gifford, M.E., Y.M. Ramos, R. Powell, J.S. Parmerlee, Jr. 2002. Natural history of a saxicolous anole, Anolis longitibialis, from Hispaniola. Herpetol. Nat. Hist. 9:15-20.
2000:
Cast, E., M.E. Gifford, K.R. Schneider, A.J. Hardwick, J.S. Parmerlee, Jr., and R. Powell. 2000. Natural history of an anoline lizard community in the Sierra de Baoruco, Republica Dominicana. Carib. J. Sci. 36:258-266. PDF
Gifford, M.E., R. Powell, and W.E. Stiener. 2000. Relationship of diet and prey availability in Aristelliger cochranae, a gecko from Navassa Island, West Indies. Carib. J. Sci. 36:323-326. PDF
Manuscripts Submitted or in Preparation:
Gifford, M.E. and A. Larson. In situ genetic differentiation in a Hispaniolan lizard (Ameiva chrysolaema): a multilocus perspective (In Review Molecular Ecology)
Gifford, M.E., A. Herrel, and D.L. Mahler. Intra-populational variation in the relationship between signal structure and performance in a Hispaniolan lizard. (In Review Functional Ecology)
Popular Articles:
2005:
Gifford, M.E. 2005. Ecotones and hybrid zones: implications for conservation illustrated by ground-dwelling lizards from Hispaniola. IGUANA, 12:1519.
2004:
Gifford, M.E., and R. Powell. 2004. The Ground Lizards (Ameiva) of the Lower Barahona Peninsula. IGUANA 11:14-15.
2002:
Powell, R., D.M. Nieves, M.E. Gifford, B.E. Fontenot. 2002. The “Rhino Factory” at Manatí Park. Iguana Times 9:75-81.
Honors and Awards:
2007:
Honorable Mention, SSAR Siebert Award Competition (Oral presentation: Evolution and Systematics)
2002:
Honorable Mention, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Competition
1999:
Bobby Witcher Memorial Scholarship, $1000
REU: A West Indian Herpetofauna, Avila College (R. Powell)
Grants:
2007:
Isrealow Undergraduate Research Award, Washington University (with Brice Sarver-Undergrad Assistant), $3500
2006:
Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research, American Philosophical Society, $3000
Gaige Fund Award, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, $500
2005:
Dissertation Improvement Grant (DDIG), National Science Foundation, $11,998
Grants-in-Aid-of-Research (GIAR), Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, $990
Youth Activity Fund, Explorers Club, (with Victoria Rodriguez-Undergrad Assistant) $1200
Youth Activity Fund, Explorers Club, (with Elizabeth Clark-Undergrad Assistant - Declined) $1200
Washington University Research Grant for Undergraduates, (with Victoria Rodriguez-Undergrad Assistant) $1300
2001:
Kansas City Herpetological Society Research Grant, $300
Chicago Herpetological Society Research Grant, $250
University of Texas at Tyler Faculty Research Grant, Genetic Variation in the Ameiva chrysolaema Species Complex (Squamata: Teiidae): Taxonomic and Biogeographic Considerations, Awarded to R. Gutberlet and M.E. Gifford, $4800
University of Texas at Tyler President’s Faculty-Student Summer Research Award, Genetic Variation in the Ameiva chrysolaema Species Complex (Squamata: Teiidae): Taxonomic and Biogeographic Considerations, Awarded to R. Gutberlet and M.E. Gifford, $7500
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2006:
(Fall): Guest Lecturer, Evolution, Washington University: Speciation
(Fall): Teaching Assistant, Washington University: Evolution
2005:
(Fall): Teaching Assistant, Washington University: Genetics
(Spring): Teaching Assistant, Washington University: Molecular Evolution
2004:
(Spring): Teaching Assistant, Washington University: Ecology
2000-2002:
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Tyler: General Biology Laboratory
Faculty Member, Environmental Issues: Camp Tyler (Outdoor education facility in Tyler, TX)
1999:
Undergraduate teaching assistant, Avila College: Principles of Biology
PRESENTATIONS AND SEMINARS:
2007:
Gifford, M.E., Mahler, D.L., Herrel, A. Repeated evolution of morphology, performance, and behavior in Leiocephalus lizards from the Dominican Republic. Society od Integrative and Comparative Biology, Phoenix, AZ.
Gifford, M.E., Larson, A. A multilocus assessment of the phylogeography of Ameiva chrysolaema from Hispaniola. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, St. Louis, MO. (SSAR Seibert Evolution & Systematics, Honorable Mention)
R. Powell, Gifford, M.E., Leininger, P.D. A study of Anolis claws: Aquatic vs. arboreal species (Poster).
2006:
Langerhans, R.B., Gifford, M.E., Joseph, E.O. Incipient parallel speciation among blue holes in a Bahamian Gambusia. Third International Symposium on Viviparous Fishes. Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.
Invited Seminar: Gifford, M.E., Mahler, D.L., Herrel, A. The evolution of performance among populations of Leiocephalus lizards from the Dominican Republic: Integration of habitat use, morphology, and behavior. University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX
Gifford, M.E., Mahler, D.L., Herrel, A. The evolution of performance among populations of Leiocephalus lizards from the Dominican Republic: Integration of habitat use, morphology, and behavior. Biology Department Seminar, Washington University
Gifford, M.E., Larson, A. Inundation, recession, and phylogeography in a lineage of Ameiva chrysolaema from the Dominican Republic. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Orlando, FL.
2005:
Gifford, M.E. Some rantings about Hispaniolan ground-dwelling lizards: Historical and ecological components of diversification. Herpetology Group, Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
2004:
Gifford, M.E. Testing hypotheses of differentiation in Hispaniolan ground-dwelling lizards. Biology Department Seminar, Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
Gifford, M.E., Larson, A. Population structure and history of Ameiva chrysolaema from Hispaniola. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Norman, OK.
2001:
Gifford, M.E. Reptiles of the Barahona Peninsula, Dominican Republic. East Texas Regional Herpetological Society, Tyler, TX.
2000:
Gifford, M.E., Powell, R. Dietary habits of Aristelliger cochranae. Texas Herpetological Society, Tyler, TX: Poster Presentation.
Gifford, M.E., Powell, R. Relationship of diet and prey availability in Aristelliger cochranae, a gecko from Navassa Island, West Indies. Avila College Student Scholar Day, Kansas City, MO: Poster Presentation.
1999:
Gifford, M.E., Powell, R. Relationship of diet to prey availability in Aristelliger cochranae. Missouri Herpetological Association, Reis Biological Station.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION:
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Herpetologists’ League
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Society for the Study of Evolution
Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
SERVICE AS REVIEWER:
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (8)
Caribbean Journal of Science (2)
Conservation Genetics (1)
Ecography (1)
Journal of Herpetology (1)
Applied Herpetology (1)