Curriculum Vitae
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EDUCATION
University of Minnesota -- Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Washington University -- Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
A.B. Magna cum laude, Biology, 2007
PUBLICATIONS
Giarla, T.C., R.S. Voss, and S.A. Jansa. (2010). Species limits and phylogenetic relationships in the didelphid marsupial genus Thylamys based on mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphology. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History No. 346. [PDF]
Jansa, S.A., T.C. Giarla, and B.K. Lim. (2009). The phylogenetic position of the rodent genus Typhlomys and the geographic origin of Muroidea. Journal of Mammalogy. 90(5):1083–1094. [PDF]
RESEARCH GRANTS
- Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation, 2011
- Dayton Research Award, University of Minnesota, 2010
- Thesis Research Grant, University of Minnesota, 2009
- Society of Systematic Biologists Graduate Research Award, 2008
- Dayton Research Award, University of Minnesota, 2008
- American Society of Mammalogists Grant-In-Aid of Research, 2008
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
- President’s Student Leadership and Service Award, University of Minnesota, 2011
- Elmer Birney Graduate Student Grant, American Society of Mammalogists, 2010
- Council of Graduate Students Travel Award, University of Minnesota, 2009
- EEB Travel Award, University of Minnesota, 2009
- Elmer Birney Summer Research Fellowship, University of Minnesota, 2009
- Graduate School Fellowship, University of Minnesota, 2007 - 2009
- HHMI Summer Research Fellowship, Washington University, 2006
PRESENTATIONS
Giarla, T.C., R.S. Voss, and S.A. Jansa. “Systematics of the marsupial genus Thylamys: Examining biogeographic patterns in the open habitats of central and southern South America.” Evolution 2010 Conference, Portland, Oregon, June 2010.
Giarla, T.C., R.S. Voss, and S.A. Jansa. “Systematics of the marsupial genus Thylamys: Examining biogeographic patterns in the open habitats of central and southern South America.” American Society of Mammalogists Conference, Laramie, Wyoming, June 2010. Invited Talk.
Giarla, T.C. “Systematics of the marsupial genus Thylamys: Examining the impact of climate oscillations and niche conservatism on patterns of genetic diversity in Thylamys mouse opossums.” Pre-Thesis Seminar, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, May 7, 2010.
Giarla, T.C., R.S. Voss, and S.A. Jansa. “Systematics and historical biogeography of Thylamys (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae).” 10th International Mammalogical Conference, Mendoza, Argentina, August 2009. Poster presentation. POSTER
Giarla, T.C., J. Vonesh, and J. Chase. “Contagion or compression? Predator effects on colonization in adjacent aquatic habitats.” HHMI Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 2006, Washington University, St. Louis. Poster presentation.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Teaching Assistant, EEB 4029 Mammalogy, 2010
- Teaching Assistant, EEB 4029 Mammalogy, 2009
FIELD EXPERIENCE
- Dissertation Research, Salta, Argentina, 2010
- Minnesota County Biological Survey, Field Assistant, Itasca, MN, 2008
MUSEUM EXPERIENCE
- Curtorial Assistant, Bell Museum of Natural History Mammal Collection, University of Minnesota, 2010
MENTORING
- Research Mentor for:
- Tracy Smelter, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, 2008
- Tim Sosa, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, 2008
SERVICE
- Coordinator, EEB Prospective Student Welcome Week, 2009 & 2010
- Member, EEB Travel Grant Committee, 2010
- Member, EEB Fundraising Committee, 2009
- President, EEB Graduate Student Body, 2008 – 2009
- President, Teaching SMART, University of Minnesota, 2008 – present
- Introduced local elementary school students to U of M scientists and the research
- Developed a semester curriculum with focus on evolution, biogeography, and ecology
- Guest Instructor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 2009 - present
- Developed and presented talks on mammals and museum collection tours to children
- Visited local schools and presented at after-school science events
- Instructor, St. Louis Zoo, 2007
- Educated day camp attendees about conservation issues and ecological principles
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
- American Society of Mammalogists
- Sigma Xi
- Society for the Study of Evolution
- Society of Systematic Biologists
