Alison M. Mostrom, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Ph.D., Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 1993
A.B., Mount Holyoke College, 1982

(215) 895-1137 (voice)
(215) 596-8710 (fax)
E-mail: a.mostro@usip.edu

Research Interests
Conservation of neotropical migratory bird species that breed locally
Social behavior of animals, including captive zoological species.

Research Summary
I study migratory bird species (primarily warblers) that breed locally, and spend the non-breeding season in the neotropics. I use sound analyses of males’ individually distinctive songs to determine population size, and the inter-year return rate of males. This is a project that links the study of animal behavior to conservation. Field research is conducted in the summer (May 1 – July 15), and sound analyses are made in the lab throughout the year. I am also willing to mentor students who design their own behavioral research project involving captive animals residing at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Representative Publications & Presentations at National Meetings
Blumberg, P.; Mostrom, A. M.; Bendl, B.; Kimchuck, A.; Wolbach, K. 2005. A model for integration of content, concepts and context within separate courses: Making explicit the connections among disciplines. Primus 15 (1): 59-80.

Mostrom, A. M., and Massuto, D. 2003. “Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) males produce individually distinctive songs”. Poster Presentation: National Animal Behavior Society Meeting, 2003, Boise, Idaho

Mostrom, A. M. 2002. Competitive Behavior of Birds at Feeders. In: Exploring Animal Behavior in the Laboratory and Field: An Hypothesis-Testing Approach to the Development, Causation, Function, and Evolution of Animal Behavior. (B. J. Ploger, and K. Yasukawa, eds.). Academic Press (An Imprint of Elsevier Science) San Francisco, CA.

Mostrom, A. M., Curry, R. L., and Lohr, B. 2002. Carolina Chickadee, Poecile carolinensis. In: The Birds of North America, No. 636. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc. Philadelphia, PA.

Gill, F. B., Mostrom, A. M., and Mack, A. L. 1993. Speciation in North American chickadees I: patterns of mtDNA genetic divergence. Evolution 47(1): 195-212

Smith, S. M., and Mostrom, A. M. 1985. "Coral snake" rings: are they helpful in foraging? Copeia. 1985(2): 384-387.

Teaching Responsibilities
Fall Semester
BS 103: General Biology I (lecture & lab)
BS 200: Animal Diversity & Morphology (lecture & lab)
BS 305: Animal Behavior (lecture & lab) (alternate years)
BS 493: Biological Sciences Seminar I

Spring Semester
BS 104: General Biology II (lecture & lab)
BS 220: Plant Diversity & Morphology (lecture & lab)
BS 377: Ecology (lecture & lab) (co-taught with Mr. Kevin Wolbach) (alternate years)
BS 494: Biological Sciences Seminar II

Teaching Awards and Nominations
Patricia Leahy "Innovations with Learning" Award. Sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Center for making explicit connections between mathematics and biology. Received 2002. (Award shared with Mr. Kevin Wolbach, Department of Biological Sciences, and Ms. Amy Kimchuk and Ms. Barbara Bendl, Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science)

Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching. Received 2001. Nominated also in 1999, 1996, 1995, and 1994.

William F. Homiller Award for Excellence in Teaching. Received 1997. Nominated also in 1996.

Patricia Leahy "Innovations with Learning" Award for cross-curricular writing assignments (Biology & English). Sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Center. Received 1996. (Award shared with Dr. Charlotte Gale, Director of the Writing Center)

Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Freshmen Professor Award. Received 1995. Nominated again in 2001.

Alpha Chi Outstanding Science Teacher Award. Nominated in 2002, 1999, 1998, and 1995

Educational "Bright Idea" Award for Teaching Innovations. Sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Center (USP) for "Using Conceptual Diagrams/Maps to Promote Deep, Meaningful, Learning in the Classroom". Received 2007.

Grants Awarded
LWVPA-CEF Grant for Water Resource Education Network Project: $3,800. "Demonstration Landscape & Open-Air Classroom". Partners: USP; Philadelphia Water Department; University City Green; Baltimore Avenue in Bloom. 2002-2003.

USP Deans' Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education Initiative Award. $9,770. "A learning communities model for integration of content, concepts and context within separate course at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia: making explicit the connections among disciplines." In collaboration with P. Blumberg (primary author), A. Kimchuk, B. B. Reilly, and K. Wolbach. Spring 2001.

National Science Foundation, ILI Award. 119,254. "Implementation of a Biology Teaching Laboratory Computer Network". Collaborative project involving most members of USP's Department of Biological Sciences. PI: Dr. John Porter. 1996.