Education
Upper Arlington High School - Columbus, Ohio (2004)
University of Idaho - Moscow, Idaho (May 2008)
B.S. Wildlife Resources
Publications
Popular Press
Smeenk, N. 2007. Eastern milk snakes: Nature’s mousetrap. Happenings: The Dawes Arboretum 4(7): 6. (pdf)
Smeenk, N. 2007. Nature’s evening chorus. Happenings: The Dawes Arboretum 4(8): 6-7. (pdf)
Smeenk, N. 2007. Ohio’s wildlife (I mean white-tailed deer). Happenings: The Dawes Arboretum 4(9): 3. (pdf)
Smeenk, N. 2007. Highlights of reptiles and amphibians at The Dawes Arboretum. Happenings: The Dawes Arboretum 4(10): 3. (
pdf)
Smeenk, N. 2007. Wildlife Management. Happenings: The Dawes Arboretum 4(11): 6. (pdf)
Current Research
Currently, I am researching the taxonomic status of rough-skinned newts (
Taricha granulosa) in northern Idaho. To do so, I am measuring museum specimens from across the western range of the species (Alaska south to northern California) using calipers and 3-D morphometric measuring techniques. The research also involves substantial trapping of newts around the Moscow, Idaho area. I will then combine morphological and genetic data from populations across the rough-skinned newt range in order to determine the relatedness of the Idaho population to populations along the Pacific coast in Washington, Oregon, and California. I recently received an undergraduate research grant from the Department of Biology to support this research.
For more info about about rough-skinned newts and my specific research please feel free to read my proposal (
pdf).
Future Work
I am currently in the process of applying for graduate positions across the midwest, including schools in Iowa, Kansas, and Ohio. This fall, I hope to begin research and classes in order to complete a Master's of Science degree. My research interests include herpetology and conservation biology. Ultimately, I would like to combine these two interests and conduct research for the purpose of reptile and amphibian conservation.
Other Interests
My general interest in herpetology pertains to reptile and amphibian conservation, in particular, the human dimensions of conservation. When it is warm, I enjoy "herping" and wildlife photography. Over the last four years, I have also worked hard to develop good reptile and amphibian husbandry skills. Currently, I am the proud owner of two rubber boas (Charina bottae), a gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer), a western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus), two American toads (Bufo americana), a western toad (Bufo boreas), and a red-sided skink (Mabuya striata).
Links
