S.A. Hilber - Mentoring

Research	CV	Mentoring	Photos	Contact Info

Samantha A. Hilber - Mentoring & Teaching

Mentoring

One of the most rewarding experiences of being a graduate student is working with undergraduates. I believe one of the most important parts of an education in biology is participating in research. Specifically, I give students experience working with fishes to answer questions in behavioral and evolutionary ecology. I am currently participating in the UF-Howard Hughes G.A.T.O.R Program as a graduate mentor. The goal of this program is to provide mentoring experience and support for graduate students, and provide undergraduates with the opportunity to learn about the process of scientific research.

Students (in order of apperance) who I worked with and a bit about their research.

Justin Cole
(September 2009 - present)

Justin recently starting working in the lab and is currently assisting in data collection on existing projects, and caring for the fishes.

Kristin Hersey
(May 2009 - present)

Kristin is an HHMI GATOR undergraduate research fellow (2009-2010). She is examining if aggression by biparental convict cichlid females toward conspecific intruders exemplify mate defense or offspring defense.

Amanda Gross
(May 2009 - present)

Amanda is an HHMI GATOR undergraduate research fellow (2009-2010). She is examining the fitness consequences of different nest architecture preferences in the convict cichlid.

S. Garrett Arnold
(February 2008 - May 2009)

Garrett's research was examining habitat preferences of juvenile convict cichlids in the presence of a predator. In general he is interested in mutualism and behavioral ecology. When not working diligently in the lab, Garrett trains for Triathlons. Garrett is currently working in Alaska as a field assistant with Drs. Ted Schuur and Michelle Mack.
Photo by S. Hilber

Heather Mentzer
(February 2008 - present)

Heather designed a prject examining nest morphology preferences of convict cichlids. She is currently finishing up the data collection, while working on a Master's degree in Forensics.

Photo by H. Mentzer

Nick Ruktanonchai
(Summer & Fall 2007)

Nick was an undergraduate at Centre College, in Kentucky, and at UF through the REU Program. His project examined the effects of brood reduction on parental investment behavior. Nick also designed an experiment (working with Dr. Paul Sikkel, Centre College) looking at how often parents move their larval offspring in the presence of a predator. Nick is currently a graduate student with Dr. David Smith, at the University of Florida.

Photo by N. Ruktanonchai

Beth (Dippon) Reynolds
(January 2007 - May 2008)

Beth's undergraduate work examined the effects of chemical and visual cues of predation on parental care behavior and offspring behavior. Beth is currently a graduate student with Dr. Colette St. Mary, at the University of Florida.

Preseatations by undergraduates who have work with me

Arnold, S.G., S.A. Hilber and C.M. St. Mary. April 09, 2009. Poster: Juvenile convict cichlids defensive responses to predatory presence. Department of Zoology Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Dippon, E.A. April 22, 2008. Poster: The relative effects of visual vs. chemical predation cues on adult convict cichlid behavior. Department of Zoology Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Ruktanonchai, N., S.A. Hilber and C.M. St. Mary. October 21, 2007. Poster: Does brood reduction in Archocentrus nigrofasciatus affect parental investment? University of Florida Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Gainesville, FL.

Teaching Experience

Fall 2009 Integrative Principles of Biology Lab 2 (BSC 2011L) Sections: Monday (6745) 11:45-2:45pm, &
Monday (6748) 3:00-6:00pm

Summer 2009 UF-HHMI G.A.T.O.R. Graduate Mentor

Spring 2009 Integrative Principles of Biology Lab 2 (BSC 2011L) Sections:Tuesday (0553) 3:00-6:00pm,
Wednesday (0555) 8:30-11:30am &
Wednesday (0557) 11:45-2:45pm

Fall 2008 Vertebrate Zoology Lab (ZOO 2303) Section: Monday (1945) 1:55-4:55pm
& Lab set-up TA

Spring 2008 Evolution Lab (PBC 4674) Sections co-taught with M.A. Toups:
Wednesday (7677) 10:40-12:30pm,
Thursday (7685) 11:45-1:40pm,
Friday (7687) 10:40-12:30pm

Fall 2007 Vertebrate Zoology Lab (ZOO 2303) Section: Thursday (2022) 1:55-4:55pm
& co-head TA with N.A. Wright

Summer 2007 Functional Vertebrate Anatomy Lab (ZOO 3713) Section: Monday/Wednesday (0411) 12:30-4:45pm

Spring 2007 Functional Vertebrate Anatomy Lab (ZOO 3713) Sections: Tuesday (4662) &
Thursday (4664) 1:55-6:00pm

Fall 2006 Vertebrate Zoology Lab (ZOO 2303) Sections: Tuesday (1978) &
Thursday (2022) 1:55-4:55pm

	Justin Cole (September 2009 - present) Justin recently starting working in the lab and is currently assisting in data collection on existing projects, and caring for the fishes.
	Kristin Hersey (May 2009 - present) Kristin is an HHMI GATOR undergraduate research fellow (2009-2010). She is examining if aggression by biparental convict cichlid females toward conspecific intruders exemplify mate defense or offspring defense.
	Amanda Gross (May 2009 - present) Amanda is an HHMI GATOR undergraduate research fellow (2009-2010). She is examining the fitness consequences of different nest architecture preferences in the convict cichlid.
	S. Garrett Arnold (February 2008 - May 2009) Garrett's research was examining habitat preferences of juvenile convict cichlids in the presence of a predator. In general he is interested in mutualism and behavioral ecology. When not working diligently in the lab, Garrett trains for Triathlons. Garrett is currently working in Alaska as a field assistant with Drs. Ted Schuur and Michelle Mack.	Photo by S. Hilber
	Heather Mentzer (February 2008 - present) Heather designed a prject examining nest morphology preferences of convict cichlids. She is currently finishing up the data collection, while working on a Master's degree in Forensics.	Photo by H. Mentzer
	Nick Ruktanonchai (Summer & Fall 2007) Nick was an undergraduate at Centre College, in Kentucky, and at UF through the REU Program. His project examined the effects of brood reduction on parental investment behavior. Nick also designed an experiment (working with Dr. Paul Sikkel, Centre College) looking at how often parents move their larval offspring in the presence of a predator. Nick is currently a graduate student with Dr. David Smith, at the University of Florida.	Photo by N. Ruktanonchai
	Beth (Dippon) Reynolds (January 2007 - May 2008) Beth's undergraduate work examined the effects of chemical and visual cues of predation on parental care behavior and offspring behavior. Beth is currently a graduate student with Dr. Colette St. Mary, at the University of Florida.

Fall 2009	Integrative Principles of Biology Lab 2 (BSC 2011L)	Sections: Monday (6745) 11:45-2:45pm, & Monday (6748) 3:00-6:00pm
Summer 2009	UF-HHMI G.A.T.O.R. Graduate Mentor
Spring 2009	Integrative Principles of Biology Lab 2 (BSC 2011L)	Sections:Tuesday (0553) 3:00-6:00pm, Wednesday (0555) 8:30-11:30am & Wednesday (0557) 11:45-2:45pm
Fall 2008	Vertebrate Zoology Lab (ZOO 2303)	Section: Monday (1945) 1:55-4:55pm & Lab set-up TA
Spring 2008	Evolution Lab (PBC 4674)	Sections co-taught with M.A. Toups: Wednesday (7677) 10:40-12:30pm, Thursday (7685) 11:45-1:40pm, Friday (7687) 10:40-12:30pm
Fall 2007	Vertebrate Zoology Lab (ZOO 2303)	Section: Thursday (2022) 1:55-4:55pm & co-head TA with N.A. Wright
Summer 2007	Functional Vertebrate Anatomy Lab (ZOO 3713)	Section: Monday/Wednesday (0411) 12:30-4:45pm
Spring 2007	Functional Vertebrate Anatomy Lab (ZOO 3713)	Sections: Tuesday (4662) & Thursday (4664) 1:55-6:00pm
Fall 2006	Vertebrate Zoology Lab (ZOO 2303)	Sections: Tuesday (1978) & Thursday (2022) 1:55-4:55pm