M.S., Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of
New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse NY, 1995
B.S., Environmental and Forest Biology,
SUNY-CESF, Syracuse NY, 1992
Teaching Interests:
Upper level courses in Behavioral Ecology, Physiological Ecology, Evolution, and Comparative Anatomy. I approach all of my classes with the belief that students must be given ample opportunity to practice science if they are to become scientists. I attempt to incorporate student-formulated hypothesis testing into labs wherever possible and to use student generated questions as the basis for class discussions. I believe that every student brings a wealth of information into my classroom, and I attempt to tap into that resource through interactive Socratic-style discussions when ever possible.
Research Interests: Behavioral Ecology and Physiological Ecology
Optimal foraging behavior, avian energetics and embryonic development – quantitative predictions and tests of optimal foraging models for intermittently incubating passerines. I am primarily interested in the trade of between parental self-maintenance during incubation and maintenance of adequate egg temperature for proper embryonic development.
Male Incubation in the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) – it has been hypothesized that male birds in North American populations of the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) reduce the negative effects of egg cooling during female absence from the nest by actively incubating. Most reports of incubation by male H. rustica have not measured egg temperature in a manner appropriate to test this hypothesis. Male presence at the nest may also serve to reduce egg predation or nest parasitism, so it is important to determine whether developing embryos receive any substantial thermal benefit from this behavior. This work, in collaboration with a colleague at Syracuse University, examines the effect male presence might have embryonic development through egg temperature records, field observations, and calculations of Q10, the rate at which embryonic development could be increased through increases in egg incubation temperature.
Disruption of normal incubation rhythm in PCB contaminated swallow populations – a project related to ongoing collaborative research projects on avian reproductive behavior. Anecdotal evidence suggests PCB contaminated forage bases reduce parental attentiveness to developing embryos and disrupt development in some species of birds. This work involves documenting the presence of PCBs, quantifying parental attentiveness in both contaminated and non-contaminated areas, and determining the effects, if any, on reproductive output of Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) colonies foraging in PCB contaminated wetland areas.
Alternatives to environmentally induced metabolic depression in salamanders - this work focuses on the physiological and behavioral mechanisms that restrict salamander species distribution in three species of lungless salamander (Eurycea bilineata, Demognathus ochrophaeus, and Plethodon cinereus), and one lunged species (Ambystoma maculatum).
Recent Publications:
Hainsworth, F.R., and Voss, M.A. (2002) Intermittent incubation: predictions and tests for time and heat allocations. Chapter 15 (pp 223-237) In: (D.C. Deeming, ed.) Avian Incubation: Behaviour, Environment and Evolution (Oxford Ornithology Series). Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford.
Voss, M.A. and F.R. Hainsworth (2001). Relatively simple, precise methods to analyze temperature transients in ectotherms. J. Thermal Biology 26: 121-132.
Hainsworth, F.R., T. Moonan, M.A. Voss, K.A. Sullivan and W.W. Weathers (1998). Time and heat allocations to balance conflicting demands during intermittent incubation by Yellow-eyed Juncos. Journal of Avian Biology 29: 113-120.
Nueman, J. D.L. Pearl, P.J. Ewins, R. Black, D.V. Weseloh, M. Pike (Voss), and K. Karwowski (1997) Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) breeding on the lower Great Lakes in the early 1990’s. Canandian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54 (7): 1569–1584
VanDruff, L.W. and M. Pike (1992) Wildlife and Habitats of the Onondaga Lake Area. The State of the Lake Report. Onondaga Lake Management Conference, Syracuse, NY.
Interested persons can reach me for information at:
mav11@psu.edu
Phone: 814-898-6292
This page was last updated 05 Sep 2004.