David S. McLeod
Squirrels in the Lab
Find out who we are and what we are doing!
Shelby Shartzer
2025–2026
Shelby is a SPARCnet RaMP mentee. With funding from the NSF, Shelby is part of a cohort of researchers across the Eastern US studying aspects of the Red-backed salamander's biology. Shelby's research has focused on the unusual (and recently identified) phenomenon of biofluorescence in this salamander.
Shelby earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science at Sterling College in Vermont.
Nolan Faulkenberry
2025–2026
Nolan came to MBU to finish his undergraduate degree in Biology and pitch for the baseball team. He joined the lab as a senior and took on a project in which he developed a protocol for quantifying biofluorescent glands in frogs.
Micah Joyner
2025–2026
Micah is a biology major at MBU. Her senior thesis investigates modified granular glands in Plethodon cinereus and tests sexual dimorphism and seasonal variation in this characteristic.
Kadrin Anderson, MS
Kadrin is an Associate Professor of Biology at MBU. By training, a botanist...at heart, a naturalist. Kadrin is one of the most enthusiastic and curious people you will ever meet. Together we laugh a lot, mentor students in earnest, and get to the field whenever we can. Kadrin is a Co-Mentor of our SPARCnet RaMP mentees.
David S. McLeod, MS, PhD
My curiosity about the natural world compels me to investigate it whenever, where ever, and however I can. Though I rarely meet an organism that I don't find fascinating, I have always been especially interested in amphibians and reptiles. I'm most fortunate to have gotten to pursue this interest throughout my career. Chasing this interest in amphibians has taken me to many regions of the world. I have spent a great deal of my career focused on the amphibians of SE Asia. Most recently, my time has been split between Borneo and Appalachia...both biodiversity hotspots. Importantly, my pursuits have brought me into community with many fantastic and like-minded people. I couldn't be luckier! I am an educator, mentor, and scientist. I love to ride bikes, hike, and travel. I am thankful that I get to share this journey with family, friends, and students!