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Thomas Wassmer, Ph.D.
  Professor of Biology
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Curriculum Vitae – November 2022

Siena Heights University, 1247 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian, MI 49221, twassmer@sienaheights.edu

Current appointment

Professor of Biology, Siena Heights University

Education and Training

Undergraduate Degrees

·         1986: Zwischenprüfung (~B.A.) from the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany in Cultural Anthropology, 1.3 (1-6 scale)

·         1987: Vordiplom (~B.S.) from the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany in Biology, 2.33 (1-6 scale)

Graduate Degrees

·         1991: Diplom-Biologe (~M.S.) from the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Germany, Biology, 1.5 (1-6 scale). Thesis on Dung beetle ecology. Supervisors: Peter Sowig and Klaus Peschke

·         1998: Dr. rer. nat. (~Ph.D.) from the Universität Konstanz, Germany in Animal Physiology, Ecology, Clinical Psychology cum laude. Thesis on Hibernation in the European hamster. Supervisor: Franziska Wollnik

Postgraduate Education

·         2004 - 2006: Waldorf-/Steiner-School teacher training and certification for high school Biology, Earth Science, and Chemistry

Professional Experience

1987 - 1991

Teaching assistant in botany and zoology lab courses at the biology department of the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg.

1992 - 1993

Research assistant at the Institute of Landscape Ecology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. Supervisor: Klaus C. Ewald

1993 – 1997

Research- and teaching assistant in animal behavior, ecology, and evolution at the Biology Department of the University of Konstanz. Supervisors: Franziska Wollnick and Hubert Markl

1997 – 1999

Project manager of the database project of the Film Archive of Human Ethology (human behavior) of the Max-Planck Society in Andechs, Germany. Supervisor: Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt

2000 – 2004

eLearning developer and project manager for biochemistry in a nation-wide project for college-level chemistry education (Vernetztes Studium Chemie) funded by the federal government of Germany. Supervisor: Alfred Maelicke

2006 – 2010

High school science teacher at the Rudolf-Steiner School of Ann Arbor, MI teaching grade 9-12 biology, chemistry, and earth science.

2010 – 2016

Assistant professor of Biology at Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI, USA

2016 – 2022

2022 -

Associate professor of Biology at Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI, USA

Professor of Biology at Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI, USA

Teaching

  • High School

o    Geology, Astronomy, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Evolution, Ecology, Embryology, Gardening, Environmental Science.

  • College

o    Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (lecture and lab), Biology Junior and Senior Seminars (4 semesters), Terrestrial Ecology (lecture, field trips and labs), Vertebrate Physiology (lecture and lab), Fresh Water Ecology (lecture, field trips and labs), Evolution (lecture and labs), Environmental Documentaries, Liberal Arts: Justice and Peace, Contemplation and Action.

Research

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1456-3475, Google Scholar: 50ZWFM0AAAAJ, Web of Science ResearcherID: D-7727-2011

Current Research Fields:

·         Ecology of coprophilous beetles in SE Michigan

·         Activity patterns of fox squirrels in SE Michigan

Most Relevant Publications

·         Wassmer T. 2020a. Phenological Patterns and Seasonal Segregation of Coprophilous Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea and Hydrophilidae) on a Cattle Farm in SE-Michigan, United States Throughout the Year. Front Ecol Evol. 8. doi:10.3389/fevo.2020.563532. [accessed 2020 Nov 2]. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2020.563532/full.

·         Wassmer T. 2020b. Attractiveness of Cattle Dung to Coprophilous Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea and Sphaeridiinae) and Their Segregation During the Initial Stages of the Heterotrophic Succession on a Pasture in Southeast Michigan. J Insect Sci. 20(3). doi:10.1093/jisesa/ieaa040. [accessed 2020 Jul 25]. https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/20/3/13/5851655.

·         Wassmer T, Murray D, Boutin S, Fahlman A, Jensen FH, editors. 2020. Ecology and behaviour of free-ranging animals studied by advanced data-logging and tracking techniques. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/978-2-88963-792-8.

·         Wassmer T, Refinetti R. 2019. Individual Daily and Seasonal Activity Patterns in Fox Squirrels (Sciurus niger) Quantified by Temperature-Sensitive Data Loggers. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 7(179). doi:10.3389/fevo.2019.00179. https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fevo.2019.00179.

·         Wassmer T, Wollnik F. 1997. Timing of torpor bouts during hibernation in European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus L.). Journal of comparative physiology B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology. 167(4):270–9. doi: 10.1007/s003600050074

Membership in Scientific Societies

·         American Society of Mammologists

·         The Coleopterist's Society

·         Ecological Society of America

·         Entomological Society of America

Committee Work

·         2012 – today   Institutional Review Board (IRB): Member

·         2014 – today   Sustainability Committee: Chair and founder

·         2013 – today   Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC): Co-Chair and founder

·         2014 – 2016    Social responsibility committee: Member

Community Service

·         2012 – 2018    Lenawee County Intermediate School District Stubnitz Environmental Education Partnership Advisory Board (SEEPAB)

·         2012 – 2016    Adopt a River – citizen monitoring of River Raisin, River Raisin Watershed Council

·         May to December 2018: Climate Adaptation Task Force of the National Sierra Club

·         2013 – today   Adrian - Oil and Gas Blog: Following the oil and gas exploitation in and around Adrian, Michigan and how these events in our little city connect to the global environmental situation. https://adrianoil.blogspot.com

·         2015 – today   Environmental Documentary Series open and free for the university and wider community: https://www.shusustainability.org/environmental-documentaries.html

·         2018 – today   Adrian International Film Festival: Planning committee member and judge for short and feature documentaries: https://www.adrianfilm.org

·         2021: Michigan Climate Change Advisory Workgroup

·         2020 -today: Michigan Campus Sustainability Collective

·         2017-now: Running the Siena Heights University weather station and the East Adrian air quality monitor

·         2022 –    Lenawee County Intermediate School District Natural Resources Advisory Board