Of Pools and People

Thomas Hastings is a recent graduate from the University of Maine who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology. Over his four years at the UMaine he has worked on many different amphibian research projects in Maine, Arizona, and Montana with varying goals and research interests. He worked in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology as a scientific research assistant. Tom was also a member of the CNH graduate student team. His research interests include using innovative techniques to study herpetofauna responses to anthropogenic impacts and finding solutions that help to mitigate detrimental effects observed in human altered landscapes. Other interests of his include public outreach and education about wildlife.

What Tom is Doing Now

Tom is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Appalachian State University. His research focuses on thermal and hydric physiological conditions of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in a Subarctic environment. He is using radio telemetry and plaster models to determine if the evaporative water loss rates, water balance, and body temperature of wood frogs differ among Subarctic habitat types or at specific wood frog locations. Collecting data on physiological and environmental conditions at a northern extent of the wood frogs range will help us to predict habitat selection and range expansion or contraction as a result of future habitat alteration in Subarctic environments. In addition to my research, he has also helped to manage a wetland restoration project in southeast Missouri and maintain a vertebrate collection at App State! And of course, there has been no shortage of getting involved with various other herpetological projects!